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1 

2 

3 

1  2  3 

4  5  6 


NORSE  LITERATURE. 

l^UBLISHEI)  BY  S.  C.  GRIGGS  &  COMPANY, 

CHICAGO. 


Anderson  — America    not    Discovered    by 
Columbus        -.---- 

Anderson  —  Norse  Mythology 

Anderson  — ViKiNO  Tales  of  the  North 

Anderson  —  The  Younger  Edda 

FoRKsTiER  — Echoes  from  Mist  Land,  or, 
The  Nibklungen  Lay  Revealed 

Holcomb  —  Tegner's  Fridthjof's  Saga 

Horn  — History  of  the  Literature  op  the 
Scandinavian  North      -        .       -        - 

Janson  — The  Spell-Bound  Fiddler 

Lauridson— Vitus  Bering  -        -        -        - 

Lie  — The  Pilot  and  His  Wife 

Lie— The  Barque  Future - 

Peterson  —  Norwegian  -  Danish    Gr.  mmar 
AND  Reader 


|1  00 

2  50 

2  00 

2  00 

1  25 

1  25 

3  00 

1  00 

1  25 

1  50 

1  00 

1  25 


America  not  Discovered  by  Columbis. 


AN   HISTORICAL   SKETCH 


OF    TIIK 


Discovery  of  America  by  the  N  orsemen 


IN  THE   TENTfl   CENTURY. 


By   RASMUS   B.   ANDERSON,   A.M., 

PROFESSOR   OF   THK    SCANDINAVIAN   L-«NaUAOE9   IN   THE   UNIVEHSITY   OF  WISCONSIN; 
HONORAUY    MEMBER   OF  THE   ICELANDIC    LITERARY   SOCIETY. 


WITH    AN    APPENDIX 

O.V    THE    HISTORICAL,    LINCxUISTIC,    LITKHARY    AND    SCIENTIFIC    VALUE 
VV   THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 

ALSO  A 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

OF    THE 

PRE-COLUMBIAN  DISCOVERIES  OF  AMERICA, 
By  PAUL  BARRON  WATSON. 


FOURTH  EDITION,  ENLARGED. 


CHICAGO: 

S.  C.  GRIGGS  AND  COMPANY. 

1891. 


HI 


£  US 
1^9/ 


68449 


CcpYniGiiT,  1874, 
By  S.  C.  GKIGGS  AND  COMPANY. 


Copyright,  1883, 
By  S.  C.  GETOOS  AND  COMPANY. 


KNIQHT   «L    LEONARD,    PRINTERS,   CHIOAQO. 


/ 


PREFACE. 


TN  preparing  this  sivetcli,  the  author  has  freely 
made  use  of  sueli  material  as  he  considered 
valuable  for  his  purpose  from  the  works  of  Tortleus, 
C.  C.  Rafn,  J.  T.  Smith,  N.  L.  IJeaniish,  (Jr.  Gra- 
vier,  B.  F.  De  Costa,  A.  Davis,  Washino-ton  Irving, 
R.  M.  Ballantyne,  P.  A.  Munch,  R.  Kejser,  and 
others,  and  he  is  under  special  obligations  to  Dr. 
S.  H.  Carpenter,  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  for 
valuable  suggestions. 

This  sketch  does  not  claim  to  be  witliout  faults. 
The  style  may  seem  dull  and  heavy,  but  it  is  hoped 
that  the  reader  will  be  generous  in 'criticising  an 
author  who  now  makes  his  first  appearance  before 
the  Amei^ican  public.  The  object  of  this  sketch 
has  been  to  present  a  readable  and  truthful  narrative 
of  the  Norse  discovery  of  America,  to  create  some 
interest  in  the  people,  the  literature,  and  the  early 
institutions  of  Norway,  and  especially  in  Iceland,— 
that  lonely  and  weird  island,- the    Ultima   Tiiule 


PKEFACK. 


of  the  Greek  Philosophers;  and  of  the  good  or  ill 
performance  of  the  task,  a  generous  public  must  be 
the  judge 


University  ok  Wisconsin, 

June  18,  1874. 


i 


ill 

be 


OONTEJS^TS. 


I 


CHAPTER  I. 
TiiK  Norsemen,  and  otiieii   Peoples,  interested   in 

THE   DiSCOVEHY   OF   AMERICA, 

CHAPTKR  fl. 
Norse    Literature    has    ree:;    Neglected   by   the 
Learned  Men  of  the  Great  Nations, 


CHAPTER  HI. 


Antiquity  of  America, 


CHAPTER  IV. 
Piienician,  Greek,  Irish,  and  Welsh  Claims, 

CHAPTER  V. 
Who  Were  the  Norsemen?    -       -       .       . 


Iceland, 


Greenland, 


CHAPTER  VI. 


CHAPTER   VII. 


nr, 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Ships  op  the  Norsemen, 


41 


45 


47 


49 


52 


58 


61 


Um 


i 


6 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Saoas  and  Documents  auk  Gemink, 

CHAPTER  X. 
13.1  AKXE  Heimulfson,  980,         -        - 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Leib'  Erikson,  1000, 


CHAPTER  XII. 
TiiOKVALD  Erikson,  1002, 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Titorstein  Erikson,  1005, 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Tiiorpinn  Karlsefne  and  Gudrid,  1007, 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Other  Expeditions  by  the  Norsemen, 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
The  D1SCOVF.RY  OF  America  ijy  Columbus, 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


Conclusion, 


APPENDIX. 
The  Scandinavian  Languages, 

BlBLIOGRAIMIY    OF    THE    PrE-CoLUMBIAN    DlSCOVKlUKS    OF 

America, 


U4 

08 

71 

75 

78 

79 
84 
85 
93 

95 

121 


^ 


«4 


PREFACE  TO  THE  NEW  EDITION. 


G8 


71 


78 


79 


84 


85 


93 


95 


121 


OIXCE  the  first  edition  of  this  little  book  was 
^^  published,  the  discovery  of  America  has  received 
much  attention.  The  claims  of  the  Norsemen,  the 
Irish,  the  Welsh,  and  even  of  the  Chinese,  have  all 
been  warmlv  advocated. 

In  presenting  this  new  edition  of  "America  not 
discovered  bv  Columbus,"  we  desire  to  call  tfie  read- 
cr's  attention  to  some  of  the  literature  that  has  ap- 
peared since  the  publication  of  our  volume.  We  pass 
over  in  silence  all  the  news})aper  and  magazine  arti- 
cles and  reviews,  confining  ourselves  to  what  has  been 
put  in  book  form. 

1.  Immediately  after  the  publication  of  our  book, 
in  1874,  ajipeared  a  very  remarkable  work,  by  Aaron 
Goodrich,  entitled,  "  A  History  of  the  Character  and 
Achievements  of  the  so-called  Christopher  Columbus, 
with  numerous  Illustrations  and  an  Appendix  "  (New 
York,  D.  Appleton  &  Co.).  Goodrich  pronounces 
Columbus  a  fraud,  and  denounces  him  as  mean,  selfish, 
perfidious  and  cruel.  lie  has  evidently  made  a  very 
careful  study  of  the  life  of  Columbus,  and  we  have 
looked  in  vain  for  a  satisfactory  refutation  of  his  state- 


8 


PK'KFAf'K   TO   THE    NF.W    EDITION. 


moiits.  Ill  Mr.  (loodricir.s  hook  will  1)0  tbund  a  brief 
hut  tolei'iihlj  iiccunitc  sketch  of  the  Norse  discovery 
of  this  continent. 

2.    In  1875  iipi)eared  the  followiniij  hooks: 

(a)  ''The  Island  of  Fire,"  hy  V.  V.  Ileadley.  Its 
ninth  chapter  treats  of  the  discovery  of  America  by 
the  Norsemen. 

{b)  "  Young  Folks'  History  of  the  United  States," 
by  Thomas  Wentwortli  Ilig^inson.  Its  fourth  chap- 
ter treats  of  the  Norse  discovery. 

{(')  "A  (Trrannnar  School  History  of  the  United 
States,"  by  John  J.  Anderson  (New  York).  The  first 
section  gives  a  synopsis  of  the«Norse  discovery. 

{(I)  "Lectures  delivered  in  America,"  l)y  Charles 
Iviniiisley.  The  third  lecture  is  upon  the  first  discov- 
ery of  America. 

(e)  "  Fusang,  or  the  Discovery  of  America  by 
Chinese  Buddhist  Priests,  in  the  Fifth  Century,"  by 
(Charles  G.  Leland.  This  work  recognizes,  on  page 
32,  the  claims  of  the  Norsemen,  but  presents  an  older 
claim  by  tlie  Chinese,  showing  that  a  Buddhist  monk 
or  missionary,  named  Hoei-shin,  returned  in  the  year 
409  A.D.  from  a  long  journey  to  the  East.  The 
country  that  Iloei-shin  visited  is  claimed  to  be  Old 
and  New  Mexico,  and  was  called  by  him  Fusang. 
The  monk  had  found  in  this  new  and  strange  country 


f 


^. 


s 


PREFACF,   TO    rriF.    NKW    KIHTUfN. 


0 


Its 


11 


2^  by 

,"  i>y 

older 
monk 
year 
The 
Old 


an  al)nn(laiife  of  the  niaL^uey  plant,  or  ^rcat  cactus, 
which  lie  calk'-l  t'lisanir,  at'tci*  a  chiiiesc  plant  slii^'htly 
re.^cnihlinjjf  it,  and  this  name  (Fui*an^-)ho  applied  to 
tlie  country  itself.  Leland's  hook  is  well  worth 
readini;. 

{/)  In  duly,  1S75,  was  hold,  in  Naiicy,  France, 
the  first  meeting  of  the  Coui^rcs  International  des 
Aniericanistes,  a  society  which  has  been  ortjanized  for 
the  sole  pur])ose  of  thoroiighly  investiu;atini^  the  ])re- 
Cobnnhian  history  of  the  American  continent.  The 
comptc  rendu  of  this  session  has  been  published  in 
two  lar<^e  octavo  volumes,  by  Maisonneuve  et  Cie., 
Paris.  In  the  first  volume  will  he  foujid  many  valua- 
ble papers  on  the  discovery  of  America  by  the  Phcni- 
cians,  Chinese,  Irish,  Norsemen,  Welsh ;  and  on  the 
relation  of  these  discoveries  to  the  transatlantic  voy- 
acjes  by  Columbus.  The  second  meetiniij  of  this  society 
will  be  held,  September,  1S77,  in  Luxendiourg,  and 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  will  in  course  of  time 
produce  a  unicpie  library  of  papers  and  discussions  on 
pre-Columbian  America.  We  are  g'iad  to  notice  that 
the  savans  who  assembled  in  Nancy  in  1875  fully 
recognized  the  claims  of  the  Norsemen.* 

*To  this  list  might  ho  added  Bayard  Taylor's  "E^ypt  and  Icclniid;"" 
Caton's  "Summer  in  Norway;"  Griflin's  "My  Danish  Day!?;"  and  John 
S.  C.  Abhott's  "Christopher  Columbus; "  in  all  of  which  tlic  Nor.sc  riaims 
arc  vindicated.  The  last  is  in  part  a  reply  to  the  above  mentioned  work  of 
Aaron  Goodrieh. 


ni 


10 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


3.   In  1876  appeared : 

{a)  "  An  American  in  Iceland,"  by  Samuel  Knee- 
land.  Its  fourteenth  chapter  is  devoted  to  a  presenta- 
tion and  discussion  of  the  Norse  discovery  of  America. 

{h)  "  America  discovered  by  tlie  Welsh,"  by  Benja- 
min F.  Bowen  (Lippincott,  publisher).  The  voyages 
of  the  Norsemen,  in  the  tenth  and  eleventh  centuries, 
are  set  down,  on  page  ?'^,  as  being  too  well  authenti- 
cated to  admit  of  any  doubt,  and  the  book  gives  an 
interesting  and  elaborate  discussion  of  the  Welsh  dis- 
covery of  America,  in  the  year  117(>,  by  Prince  Madoc 
and  his  followers,  in  order,  as  the  author  says,  "  to 
assign  them  their  rightful  place  in  American  liistory." 
And,  indeed,  these  various  pre-Columbian  discoverers 
are  gradually  receiving  recognition  in  American  his- 
tory !  It  used  to  be  the  custom  to  pass  c-'^"  these 
early  visitors  to  our  continent  in  utter  silence  or  with 
a  contemptuous  fling  at  them,  as  though  they  were 
mere  myths,  created  only  for  the  purpose  of  tickling 
the  vanity  ol  the  different  nationalities. 

It  gives  us  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to  state  that 
none  of  the  recent  histories  of  the  United  States  have 
neglected  to  call  attention  to  the  pre-Columbian  dis- 
coverers. Mr.  John  Clark  Kidpath  writes  the  title- 
page  of  his  work  as  follows :  "  A  History  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  from  the  aboriginal  times 


]J 


di 
Ci 


PREFACE   TO   THE    NEW    EDITION. 


11 


"to 


i 


to  the  present  day ;  embracing  an  account  of  the  Ab- 
origines ;  the  Norsemen  in  tlie  New  World ;  the  dis- 
coveries by  the  Spaniards,  English,  and  PVench,  etc. 
etc. ; "  and  part  II  of  the  work  begins  with  a  detailed 
account  of  the  Norse  discoveries. 

In  William  Cullen  Bryant's  large  history  of  the 
United  States,  now  being  published,  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing very  interesting  title-page:  "A  Popular  History 
of  the  United  States,  from  the  Urst  discovery  of  the 
Western  Hemisphere  by  the  Northmen  to  the  end  of 
the  First  Century  of  the  Union  of  the  States ; "  and  a 
large  ])ortion  of  the  first  volume  of  that  great  work  is 
devoted  to  an  elaborate  account  of  the  discovery  of 
the  American  continent  by  the  Norsemen,  Irish, 
Welsh,  etc.  This  is  right,  and  therefore  we  approve 
it  and  are  glad  of  it.  "Truth  crushed  to  earth 
will  rise  again,"  and  in  the  growing  recognition  of 
the  claims  of  the  Norsemen  to  the  honor  of  having 
discovered  America  in  the  tenth  century  is  a  beautiful 
illustration  of  the  truth  contained  in  this  sentence. 

While  the  various  writers  here  alluded  to  freely 
admit  the  fact  that  the  Norsemen,  as  well  as  others, 
discovered  and  explored  parts  of  America  long  before 
Columbus,  they  are  unwilling  to  believe  that  there  is 
any  historical  connection  between  the  discovery  of  the 
Norsemen  and  that  of  Columbus ;  or,  in  other  words. 


.3 


12 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW   EDITION. 


that  Columbus  profited  in  any  way  by  the  Norsemen's 
knowledge  of  America. 

This  is  all  the  more  singular,  since  none  of  them 
even  try  to  deny  the  statement  made  by  Fernando 
Columbo,*  his  son,  that  he  (Christopher  Columbus) 
not  only  spent  some  time  in  Iceland,  in  1477,  but 
sailed  three  hundred  miles  beyond,  which  must  have 
brought  him  nearly  within  sight  of  Greenland.  We 
are  informed  that  he  was  an  earnest  student  and  the 
best  geographer  and  map-maker  of  his  'lay.  He 
was  a  diligent  reader  of  Aristotle,  Seneca  and  Strabo. 
Why  not  also  of  Adam  of  Bremen,  who  in  his  vol- 
ume, published  in  the  year  1076,  gave  an  accurate 
and  well  authenticated  account  of  Vinland  (New 
England)  ? 

Is  it  not  fair  to  say  that  Columbus  must  have  read 
Adam  of  Bremen's  book,  and  that  he  in  1477  went  to 
explore  and  reconnoitre  the  old  northern  route  by  way 
of  Iceland,  Greenland,  Markland  and  Helluland  to 
Vinland  ?  We  must  insist  that  it  is,  to  say  the  least, 
highly  probable  that  he  had  in  some  way  obtained 
knowledge  of  the  discoveries  of  the  Norsemen  in  the 
western  ocean,  and  that  he  thought  their  Vinland  to 

The  statement  is  found  in  Chapter  iv  of  the  biography,  which  the  eon 
of  Christopher  Ccliimhiis.  Fernando,  wrote  of  his  father,  and  which  was 
published  in  Venice  in  1571.  Its  title  is,  '^  Vita  dell' admiraglio  Cbrisophoro 
Columbo." 


■■it 


I'KEFACE   TO    illK    NEW    EDITION. 


13 


he  tlie  eastern  shores  of  Asia.  But  no  matter  what 
induced  him  to  go  to  Iceland.*  We  know  positively 
that  he  went  there  and  even  three  hundred  miles 
beyo  id  it.  The  last  Norse  voyage  to  America  of 
which  we  have  any  account  was  in  the  year  1347,  and 
is  it  possible,  we  ask,  that  Columbus  could  visit  Ice- 
land only  130  years  later  and  learn  nothing  of  the 
famous  Vinland  the  Good  ? 

We  firmly  believe  in  evolution  so  far  as  the  dis- 
covery of  America  is  concerned.  We  believe  that  the 
voyages  of  the  Phenicians  and  of  the  Greek  Pytheas 
were  the  germ  that  budded  in  the  ex])lorations  of  Irish 
Welshmen  and  Norsemen,  and  culminated  in  the  dis- 
covery of  America  by  Columbus.  Columbus  iidded 
the  last  link  of  the  golden  chain  that  was  to  unite  the 
two  continents.  We  believe  that  Columbus  was  a 
scholar,  who  industriously  studied  all  books  and  manu- 
scripts that  contained  any  information  about  voyages 
and  discoveries ;  that  his  searching  mind  sought  out  the 
writings  of  Adam  of  Bremen,  that  well-known  historian 
who  in  the  most  unmistakable  and  emphatic  language 
speaks  of  the  Norse  discovery  of  Vinland;  that  the 

♦The  fumons  geographer  Malte-Brnn  Biiggcsts.  in  his  Histoirc  dc  la 
Geographic,  ii,  pp.  SiW.  4!»0,  that  Coluinhns,  when  in  Italy,  had  heard  of 
the  Norse  discoveries  beyond  Iceland,  for  Rome  was  then  the 'world's  center, 
and  all  information  of  importance  was  sent  there;  and  we  know  that  Pope 
Taschal  II  apjminted  Erik  Upsi  Hishop  of  Vinland  in  the  year  1112,  and 
that  Erik  Upsi  went  personally  to  Vinland  in  liai. 


14 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


information  thus  gathered  induced  him  to  make  his 
voyage  to  Iceland.  And  thus  we  are  able  to  explain 
the  firm  conviction  that  Columbus  invariably  ex- 
pressed in  reference  to  land  in  the  west ;  thus  we  can 
account  for  the  absolute  certainty  and  singular  firm- 
ness with  which  he  talked  of  land  across  the  ocean ; 
and  thus  we  can  account  for  his  accurate  knowledge  of 
the  breadth  of  the  ocean. 

Many  have  objected  that  Columbus  never  enter- 
tained an  idea  of  discovering  a  new  world,  but  that  he 
was  in  search  of  a  western  route  to  India.  What  of  it? 
Wiiy  could  not  Columbus  have  supposed  that  the 
Vinland,  which  the  Norsemen  had  found,  and  which 
Adam  of  Bremen  wrote  about,  was  the  very  India  to 
which  he  wanted  to  find  a  western  route?  Grant  that 
all  he  wanted  to  know  was,  whether  land  could  be 
found  by  sailing  westward, —  if  he  ever  had  buch  an 
opinion  he  must  certainly  have  gotteii  it  confirmed  in 
Iceland.  The  Norsemen  had  not  discovered  the  Pa- 
cific Ocean,  and  Columbus  might  well  have  believed 
that  the  Norsemen  had  discovered  India. 

If  Columbus  had  learned  of  Vinland  when  he  was 
in  Iceland,  why  did  he  not  sail  farther  north  instead 
of  going  so  far  to  the  south  that  he  reached  the  West 
India  Islands  instead  of  New  England?  This  question 
has  frequently  been  urged,    and  we  reply,  that  the 


fliL.... 


PliKI-'ACE   TO   THE    NEW    EDITION. 


15 


4 


Icelanders  must  have  told  him,  as  they  state  in 
their  Sa<^a8,  that  far  to  the  south  of  Vinland  was 
Irland-it-Mikla,  or  Great  Ireland ;  that  this  Great  Ire- 
land extended  certaiidy  as  far  south  as  the  present 
Florida,  and  hence  his  shortest  and  most  pleasant 
route  woald  be  to  sail  about  due-west  from  Spain. 
Granting  that  America  had  not  yet  been  found,  any 
South  European  navigator,  who  had  examined  the  Old 
Norse  Sagas,  nnd  wanted  to  re-discover  the  lands  there- 
in described,  would  feel  sure  of  reaching  Irland-it-Mikla 
by  taking  about  the  same  course  as  did  Columbus. 

In  presenting  these  arguments,  we  repeat  a  state- 
ment that  we  have  made  elsewhere,  that  we  are  not 
detracting  in  any  way  from  the  great  and  well-de- 
served fame  of  Columbus.  We  are  rather  vindicat- 
ing him  as  a  man  of  thorough  scholarship,  great 
research,  good  judgment,  in  short  a  man  of  extraor- 
dinary ability,  by  showing  that  his  discovery  of 
America  was  the  fruit  of  patient  and  j)ersevering 
study  of  all  the  geographical  information  within  his 
reach,  and  not  a  matte"  of  chance,  baseless  specula- 
tion, or  as  some  would  like  to  have  it,  inspiration. 

We  believe  he  examined  carefully  the  traditions 
found  in  Plato  of  an  island  Atlantis,  that  had  been 
swallowed  up  by  the  waves;  we  believe  he  read 
what  Dioduros  says  about  Phenician  merchants  who 


16 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITIOM. 


l! 


were  driven  by  storms  out  of  their  course  and  found 
a  fertile  land  to  the  v;est  of  Africa ;  we  believe  he 
liad  read  Adam  of  Bremen,  and  tliat  he  could  not 
rest  satisfied,  before  he  had  undertaken  that  perilous 
voyage  to  Iceland  and  heard  from  the  very  lips  of 
the  Norsemen  themselves,  ihe  sagas  relating  to  Vin- 
land  and  Great  Ireland. 

We  neglected  to  mention  in  our  first  edition 
the  two  remarkable  visitors  to  America, — Are  Mar- 
son  and  Bjorn,  the  Champion  of  Breidavik ;  and  we 
gave  Gudleif  Gudiaugson  but  a  passing  notice,  for  the 
reason  that  their  voyages  are  in  no  really  historical 
connection  with  the  voyages  of  Leif  and  Tliorvald 
Erikson  and  Thorfinn  Karlsefne.  The  Landndmabok 
and  Eyrbyggja  Sagas  give  elaborate  accounts  of  these 
adventurers,  the  substance  of  which  is  as  follows  : 

The  powerful  chieftain.  Are  Marson,  of  Reykjanes, 
in  Iceland,  was,  in  the  yea.  983,  driven  to  Great 
Ireland  (the  country  around  the  Chesapeake  B..y)  by 
storms,  and  was  there  baptized.  The  first  author  of 
this  account  was  his  contemporary,  Rafn,  surnamod 
the  Limerick-trader,  he  having  long  resided  in  Lim- 
erick, in  Ireland.  The  illustrious  Icelandic  sage.  Are 
Frode,  the  first  compiler  of  Landnama,  who  ,.'as  him- 
self a  descendant  in  the  fourth  degree  from  Are  Mar- 
son,   states  on  this  subject  that   his    uncle,  Thorkel 


IP! 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


IT 


found 
3ve  he 
Id  not 
erilous 
lips  of 
:o  Vin- 


cdition 
e  Mar- 
xnd  we 
for  the 
storical 
liorvald 
imahok 
)f  these 
■s : 

^^kjanes, 
>  Great 

ithor  of 
irnauied 
in  Lini- 
ige,  Are 
,'as  hini- 
Lre  Mar- 
Thorkel 


^ 


J 


'4 


« 


Gellerson,  (whose  testimony  he  on  another  occasion 
declares  to  be  worthy  of  all  credit,)  had  been  informed 
by  Icelanders,  who  had  their  information  from  Thoriinn 
Sigurdson,  jarl  of  Orkney,  that  Are  had  been  recog- 
nized in  Great  Ireland,  and  could  not  get  away  from 
there,  but  was  there  held  in  great  respect.  This  state- 
ment therefore  shows  that  in  those  times  (A.  D.  983) 
there  was  an  occasional  intercourse  between  the  west- 
ern part  of  Europe  (the  Orkneys  and  Ireland)  and  the 
Great  Ireland  or  Whiteman's  Land  of  America.  The 
Saga  (Landnamabuk,  Landtaking  Book,  Domesday 
Book)  expressly  states  that  Great  Ireland  lies  to  the 
west,  in  the  sea,  near  to  Vinland  the  Good,  VI  days' 
sailing  west  from  Ireland  ;  and  Protessor  Rafn  was  of 
the  opinion  that  tlie  figures  VI  have  arisen  through 
some  mistake  or  carelessness  of  the  transcriber  of  the 
original  manuscript,  which  is  now  lost,  and  were  er- 
roneously written  for  XX,  XI,  or  perhaps  XV,  which 
would  better  correspond  with  the  distance.  The  mis- 
take might  easily  have  been  caused  by  a  blot  or  defect 
in  the  manuscript. 

It  must  have  been  in  this  same  Great  Ireland  that 
Bjorn  Asbrandson,  surnamed  the  Champion  of  Breid- 
avik,  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life.  lie  had  been 
adopted  into  the  celebrated  band  of  Jomsborg  war- 
riors, that  Dr.  G.  W.  Dasent  describes  in  his  "  Vikings 
1* 


18 


I'KKFACE   TO   THE   NKW    EDITION. 


of  the  Baltic,"  under  Palnatoke,  and  took  part  with 
them  in  the  battle  of  Fyrisval,  in  Sweden.  Ilia  illicit 
amatory  connection  with  Thurid  of  Froda  (lliver  Frod) 
in  Iceland,  a  sister  of  the  powerful  Snorre  Gode,  drew 
upon  him  the  enmity  and  persecution  of  the  latter,  in 
consequence  of  which  he  found  himself  obliged  to  <piit 
the  country  for  ever,  and  in  the  year  999  he  set  sail 
from  Iceland  with  a  northeast  wind. 

Gudleif  Gndlaugson,  brother  of  ThorHnn,  the  an- 
cestor of  the  celebrated  historian,  Snorre  Sturleson, 
liad,  as  related  in  Chapter  I  of  this  volume,  made  a 
trading  ^'oyage  to  Dublin,  in  Ireland ;  but  when  he 
left  that  place  again,  with  the  intention  of  sailing 
round  Ireland  and  returning  to  Iceland,  he  met  with 
long-continuing  northeasterly  winds,  which  drove  him 
far  to  the  southwest  in  the  ocean,  and  late  in  the 
summer  he  and  his  company  came  at  last  to  an  ex- 
tensive country,  but  they  knew  not  what  country  it 
was.  On  their  landing,  a  crowd  of  the  natives,  several 
hundreds  in  number,  came  against  them,  and  laid 
hands  on  them,  and  bound  them.  They  did  not  know 
anybody  in  the  crowd,  but  it  seemed  to  them  that 
their  language  resembled  Irish.  The  natives  now  took 
counsel  whether  they  should  kill  the  stnngers  or  make 
slaves  of  them.  While  they  were  deliberating,  a  large 
company  approached,  displaying  a  banner,  close   to 


I 


PREFACE    TO   TlIK    NEW    EDITION. 


19 


■n 

I 

I 
I 


I 


whicli  rode  a  man  of  distinguished  appearance,  who 
was  tar  advanced  in  years,  and  had  gray  hair.  The 
matter  under  deliberation  was  referred  to  hi.s  decision. 
He  was  the  above-named  Bjorn  Asbrandson.  He 
caused  Gudleif  to  be  brought  before  him,  and,  address- 
ing liim  in  tlie  Norse  language,  he  asked  him  whence 
he  came.  On  his  replying  tl^at  he  was  an  Icelander, 
Bjorn  made  many  inquiries  about  his  acquaintance  in 
Iceland,  particularly  about  his  beloved  Thurid  of  Frod 
River,  and  her  son  Kjartan,  supposed  to  be  his  own 
son,  and  who  at  that  time  was  the  ])roprietor  of  the 
estate  of  Frod  River.  In  the  meantime,  the  natives 
becoming  impatient  and  demanding  a  decision,  Bjorn 
selected  twelve  of  his  company  as  counselors,  and  took 
them  aside  with  him,  and  some  time  afterward  he 
went  toward  Gudleif  and  his  companions  and  told 
them  that  the  natives  had  left  the  matter  to  his  de- 
cision. He  thereupon  gave  them  their  liberty,  and 
advised  them,  although  the  summer  was  already  far 
advanced,  to  depart  immediately,  because  the  natives 
were  not  to  be  depended  on,  and  were  difficult  to  deal 
with,  and,  moreover,  conceived  that  an  infringement 
on  their  laws  had  been  committed  to  their  disadvan- 
tage. He  gave  them  a  gold  ring  for  Thurid  and  a 
sword  for  Kjartan,  and  told  them  to  charge  his  friends 
and  relations  not  to  come  over  to  him,  as  he  had  now 


rUKKACE   TO    THE    NEW    EDITION. 


become  old,  and  mi«jj]it  daily  expect  that  old  age  would 
get  the  better  of  hini ;  that  the  country  was  large, 
having  but  tew  harbors,  and  that  strangers  must  every- 
where expect  a  hostile  reception.  Gudleif  and  his 
company  accordingly  set  sail  again,  and  found  their 
way  back  to  Dublin,  where  they  spent  the  winter;  but 
the  next  summer  they  repaired  to  Iceland,  and  de- 
livered the  presents,  and  everybody  was  convinced 
that  it  was  really  Bjorn  Asbrandson,  the  Champion  of 
Breidavik,  tliat  they  had  met  with  in  that  far-otf 
country. 

An  American  poet,  G(eorge)  E.  O(tis),  published 
in  1874,  in  Boston,  a  very  pleasant  poem  based  on  the 
saga  narrative  of  Bjorn  Asbrandson.  The  name  of  the 
poem  is  "  Thurid."  The  above  narrative,  taken  from 
"Antiquitates  Americana^,"  is  merely  a  brief  abstract 
of  the  sagas  which,  in  the  case  of  Bjorn,  as  the  reader 
may  easily  imagine,  is  brimful  of  dramatic  and  poetic 
interest.  The  Landnamabok  and  the  Eyrbyggja  Saga 
are  of  vital  importance  to  every  one  who  would  make 
a  study  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  the  Irish,  but 
as  we  expect  at  some  future  day  to  be  able  to  give 
to  the  public  a  complete  translation  of  all  the  old 
Norse  sagas  treating  of  voyages  to  the  western  con- 
tinent, we  must  pass  on  to  another  subject. 

Anent  the  Dighton  Rock,  we  have  had  some  corre- 


i 


V 


i»ki<:fac'K  to  tiik  nknv  kdition. 


21 


re  would 

IS  large, 
st  every- 

and  h\^ 
nd  their 
iter;  but 

and  de- 
onvinced 
mpion  of 
at  far-otf 

published 
Ejd  on  the 
me  of  the 
ken  from 
f  abstract 
he  reader 
nd  poetic 
?gja  Saga 
uld  make 
Irish,  but 
Q  to  give 
I  the  old 
tern  eon- 

me  corre- 


.1 

4- 


sj)()ndence  witli  Eli.sha  Slade,  Es(i.,  of  Somerset,  IJristol 

cuimty,  Massachusetts.     IJcfore  giving  iiis  letters  we 

will   say,    in   general,    that    until   suilicient   })roof  of 

some  other  origin  of  the  Newport   Tower  and    the 

Dighton  Itock  inscriptions  are  given,  wu  shall  persist 

in  claiming  them  as  relics  of  the  Norsemen.*    Now 

please  read  the  following  letters: 

SoMEiisET,  Bristol  County.  iMAssAcnrsETTH, 

December  17,  1875. 

Deak  Siu, — I  take  pleasure  in  forwarding  to  your 
address  a  stereosco])ic  view  of  the  celebrated  Dighton 
llock,  situated  in  Taunton  River,  at  low  water  mark, 
three  miles  north  of  Somerset,  on  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  river.  As  you  well  know,  the  rock  has  been 
the  subject  of  nmch  learned  discussion  at  various 
times  since  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims. 

Geologically,  Dighton  Rock  is  a  silicious  sand- 
stone of  the  upper  Silurian  period,  and,  I  think, 
belongs  to  the  Ilelderberg  grouj),  stratitied  as  you 
see  in  the  ]ncture,  the  stratifications  at  right  angles 
to  the  face  md  parallel  to  the  surface;  was  i)robably 
deposited  in  still  water;  is  a  boulder  and  not  hi  sitti. 

I  have  carefully  measured  the  rock,  and  the  fol- 
lowing is  the  result  of  my  work: 

The  face  t)f  the  rock,  on  which  are  the  inscriptions, 

*  We  are  fully  aware  that  the  Copcnhaj^on  runolotristH  do  not  regard  the 
Dij^htou  Rock  Insscription  as  a  work  of  the  Norsemen.  But  in  the  first  place 
the  writing  is  not  claimed  to  be  rnnic,  but  Itmnan.  Prof.  Rafn  hinisclf  did 
not  try  to  show  more  than  two  or  three  runic  letters  in  it.  And  in  the  second 
place  we  are  not  aware  that  either  Stephens  or  Wo^^'aae  have  ever  made  any 
careful  examination  of  the  inscription.  When  they  have  made  a  thorough 
study  of  it  and  reported,  wo  are  willing  to  accept  their  decision  on  the  subject. 


22 


iMii;i  AcK  TO  Tin:  xi:\\    kdition. 


liHH  an  an^lo  of  47°  to  tlio  liori/on,  and  tlie  surtat't' 
(not  seen  in  tlie  ])icture)  as  it  slopes  toward  the  sliore 
is  in  tlie  mean  25"  to  the  horizon. 

Tlie  mean  liei^dit  of  the  rock  on  its  face  aljove 
the  ground  is   1,2U3  meters. 

Its  mean  length  on  its  surface  is  1,708  meters. 

Its  mean  width  is  3,3S4  meters. 

Its  contents  ahove  ground  is  3,871  cubic  'neters. 

Its  weight  is  9,(>71,<>23  kilogrannnes. 

In  viewing  the  rock,  you  are  looking  in  a  south- 
easterly direction,  or,  perhaps,  more  nearly  SS.E.  by 
the  compass,  but  the  magnetic  needle  here  has  a 
variation  of  11°  03'  west  of  north. 

The  rock  is  almost  covered  with  water  at  liigh 
tide,  and  can  only  be  seen  to  advantage  at  low  tide. 

The  inscriptions  on  the  rock  are  from  one-eighth 
to  three-eighths  of  an  inch  deej).  At  the  time  it 
was  photographed  I  made  uearly  all  of  the  chalk 
marks  myself,  and  no  clialkhuj  was  made  inhere  tlie 
cxitting  in  tlie  rock  was  not  plainhj  visible  to  the  ej/e, 
and  many  marMngs  ])artJii  ohscure  n^er^e  not  touched^ 
thus  giving  the  rock  the  benefit  of  all  possihle  douht. 

Captain  A.  M.  Harrison,  in  charge  of  the  United 
States  Coast  Survey,  engaged  in  work  on  Taunton 
River,  was  present  when  the  photograph  was  taken, 
and  he  is  engaged  upon  a  history  of  the  Norsemen's 
discovery  of  America,  in  connection  with  Dighton 
Rock,  by  request  of  the  United  States  government. 
His  report,  when  completed,  will  be  a  valuable 
work.     I  am,  my  dear  sir,  very  respectfully. 


Your  obedient  servant, 


Elisha  Slade. 


3  shore 

1  above 

eters. 

meters. 

I  south- 
S.E.  l>v 
!   has   a 

at  high 
)vv  tide, 
e-eighth 
time  it 
e  chalk 
here  the 
the  eye^ 
touched^ 
e  (louht. 
United 
rauntou 
8  taken, 
rsemen's 
Dighton 
u'nment. 
valuable 


TRKFACE   mo   THE   NEW    luDniON. 


28 


I 


It  has  so  tre([ucntly  been  claimed  that  the  inscrip- 
tions on  Dighton  Itock  are  notliing  l)ut  "  Indian 
scrawls,"  hence  we  wrote  to  Mr.  Slade,  asking  him 
whether  they  could,  in  his  opinion,  have  been  made 
with  stone  implements.     Here  is  his  answer: 

SOMKIISKT,  HUISTOL  CoUNTV,  MASSArnUHETTS, 

Mui-ch  13,  1876. 

Dear  Sir, — Vou  ask  my  opinion  as  to  the  instru- 
ments used  in  cutting  the  inscriptions  on  Dighton 
Rock.  I  think  they  were  iron  implements,  and 
that  they  were  in  the  hands  of  a  skilled  mechanic  — 
a  Norseman  worthy  of  the  name.  I  do  not  know 
that  my  opinion  on  this  (piestion  is  of  any  conse- 
(piencc,  still  I  have  seen  work  undoubtedly  performed 
by  an  aboriginal  American  with  Hint  and  stone  tools, 
but  the  characters  were  not  nicely  edged,  as  these 
are.  I  cannot  believe  tliey  were  made  by  the  lazy 
Indian  of  Schoolcraft. 

I  have  a  decided  interest  in  the  Norsemen's  visit 
to  New  England,  for  Thorfinn  nnist  have  been  well 
acquainted  with  Somerset,  my  native  town.  lie 
must  have  seen  Taunton  River  as  I  see-  it,  with 
Mount  Hope  and  Narragansett  bay,  and  seen  the 
same  sun  rise  over  the  same  hills  and  set  behind 
the  same  ridge  865  years  ago.  It  is  not  impossible 
that  Snorre  was  born  in  Somerset. 

Ever  truly  yours, 

Elisiia  Slade. 


LADE. 


24 


PREFACE    TO   THE    NEW    EDITION, 


In  reference  to  this  curious  rock  we  will  now 
only  refer  the  reader  to  Chji])ter  XIV  of  this  book. 

From  Joseph  Story  Fay,  Esf].,  of  Wood's  Holl, 
Massachusetts,  we  have  received  the  following  very 
interesting  paper  on  "The  Track  of  the  Nrrsemen," 
which  we  recommend  to  the  careful  perusal  of  our 
readers.  Before  presenting  it,  however,  we  will  re- 
mark that  the  name  Hope  is  found  in  Thorfinn  Karl- 
sefne's  Saga,  where  we  read :  "  Karlsefne  sailed  with 
his  people  into  the  mouth  of  the  river  (Taunton 
River),  and  they  called  the  place  IIo])  (Mount 
Hone)."'  Hope  is  from  the  Icelandic  hopa^  to  recede, 
and  signifies  a  bay  or  the  mouth  of  a  river.  The 
descriptittn  in  the  saga  corresponds  exactly  with  the 
present  situation  of  Mount  Hope  Bay.  Here  is  Mr. 
Fay's  paper.  (We  publish  it  by  permission  of  the 
author.) 

It  is  now  well  established  that  in  the  tenth  cent- 
ury the  Norsemen  visited  this  country,  and  coasting 
down  from  Greeidand,  passed  along  Cape  Cod,  through 
Vineyard  Sound  to  Narragansett  I^ay,  where  it  is  be- 
lieved they  settled.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Aisonet 
and  Dighton,  inscriptions  upon  the  rocks  have  been 
found,  and  traditions  exist  that  tiiere  were  others, 
which  have  been  destroyed.  The  name  of  Mount 
Hope  is  supposed  to  have  been  given  to  the  Indians 
by  them,  and  it  is  a  little  curious  that  those  antiquaries 


PREFACE   TO   THE    NEW    EDITION. 


25 


,1 
I 


who  have  tried  to  identify  tlic  names  in  Narragansett 
Bay  with  the  Norsemen  did  not  look  elsewhere  on 
their  route. 

The  Ilev.  Isaac  Taylor,  the  author  of  a  work 
published  by  Maemillan  ifc  Co.,  of  London,  entitled 
"Words  and  Places,"  dilates  upon  the  tenacity  with 
which  the  names  of  places  adhere  to  them,  "throwing 
light  upon  history  when  other  records  are  in  doubt." 
lie  shows  the  progress  and  extent  of  the  Celtic,  Nor- 
wegian and  Saxon  migration  over  Europe,  by  the 
names  and  terminals  which  still  exist  over  that  conti- 
nent and  even  on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea, 
and  says,  "the  knowledge  of  the  history  and  migra- 
tions of  such  trilK's  must  be  recovered  from  the  study 
of  the  names  of  the  ])laces  they  once  inhabited,  but 
which  now  know  them  no  more,  from  the  names  of 
the  hills  which  they  fortified,  of  the  rivers  by  which 
they  dwelt,  of  tlie  distant  mountains  upon  which  they 
gazed."  He  says,  "  In  the  Shetlands,  every  local  name 
without  exception  is  Norwegian.     The  names  of  the 

farms  end  in  seter  or ster,  and  the  hills  are 

called  hoy  and  hoU ; "  and  yet  he  also  says, 

"  the  name  of  Greenland  is  the  only  one  left  to  remind 
us  of  the  Scandinavian  settlements  which  were  made 
in  America  in  the  tenth  century."  Would  the  author 
have  made  this  exception  to  his  axiom  as  to  the  dura- 
bility of  names,  had  he  remembered  that  the  Norse- 
men called  the  southern  coast  of  Massachusetts  Vin- 
LAND,  and  then  had  seen  that  we  still  have  "  Martin's  " 

or  "  Martha's  Vineyakd  'i "    Had  he  sighted  Cape  Cod 
2 


1 


26 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


and  entered  Vineyard  Sound  as  the  Norsemen  did,  in 
rounding  Monomoy  Point,  the  southeast  extremity  of 
tlie  cape,  he  would  have  seen  on  his  right  a  high 
sandy  hill,  on  or  near  which  is  the  light-house,  over- 
looking a  land-locked  anchorage  on  the  inside  called 
Powder  Hole ;  a  score  or  more  of  miles  farther  along, 
across  the  sound,  on  his  left,  he  would  have  seen  the 
hills  now  called  Oak  Bluffs  and  the  Highlands,  and 
under  their  lee  a  deep  bay  and  roadstead  long  known 
as  Holmes'  Hole,  unfortunately  changed  to  Vineyard 
Haven ;  crossing  over  to  the  mainland  again,  a  little 
farther  west,  he  would  have  come  to  the  bold  but 
prettily  rounded  hills  forming  the  southwestern  ex- 
tremity of  the  cape,  aid  behind  them  the  sheltered 
and  picturesque  harbor  of  Wood's  Hole. 

Proceeding  thence  toward  Narragansett  Bay, 
along  the  south  coast  of  Naushon,  prominent  hills  on 
the  west  end  of  that  island  slope  down  to  a  roadstead 
for  small  craft,  and  a  passage  through  to  Buzzard's 
Bay,  called  Kobinson's  Hole;  the  next  island  is 
Basque ;  and  between  its  high  hills  and  those  of 
Nashawena  is  a  passage  called  Quick's  Hole.  Now 
these  several  localities  are  unlike  each  other  except 
that  all  have  hills  in  their  vicinity,  serving  as  distin- 
guishing landmarks.  And  why  is  not  the  word  hole 
as  applied  to  them  a  corruption  of  the  Norwegian 
word  holl,  meaning  hill  ?  The  descriptive  term  hole 
is  not  applicable  to  any  of  them,  but  the  word  holl  is 
to  the  adjacent  hills,  while  there  is  little  else  in  com- 
mon between  them.    The  localities  now  called  Quick's 


m 


I'KEFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


27 


and  Robinson's  Hole  are  passages  between  Elizabeth 
Islands;  Wood's  Hole  is  a  passage  and  a  harbor; 
Holmes'  Hole,  now  known  as  Vineyard  Haven,  is  a 
deep  bay  or  anchorage;  and  Powder  Hole  was  for- 
merly a  capacious  roadstead,  now  nearly  tilled  with 
sand. 

It  may  seem  to  militate  with  the  theory  advanced, 
that  south  of  Powder  Hole  or  Monomoy  Point  is  a 
locality  called  on  the  chart  Butler's  Hole,  which  lies 
in  the  course  from  Handkerchief  Shoal  to  Pollock 
Rip,  where  there  is  now  not  only  no  hill  but  no  land. 
But  it  is  to  be  considered  that  almost  within  the 
memory  of  man  there  was  land  in  that  vicinity,  which 
has  been  washed  away  by  the  same  strong  and  eccen- 
tric current  that  has  nearly  tilled  up  Powder  Hole 
harbor  and  made  it  a  sand-flat,  and  which  still  casts 
up  on  the  shore  large  roots  and  remains  of  trees. 
With  this  in  mind  it  is  not  wild  to  suppose  that 
Butler's  Hole  marks  a  spot  where  once  was  an  island 
with  a  prominent  hill,  which  the  sea  kings  called  a 
lioll,  and  which  has  succumbed  to  the  powerful  abra- 
sion of  the  tides  which  have  moved  Pollock  liip  many 
yards  to  the  eastward,  and  which  every  year  make  and 
unmake  shoals  in  the  vicinity  of  Nantucket  and  Cape 
Cod. 

It  would  seem  a  matter  of  course  that  the  Norse- 
men, after  their  long  and  perhaps  rough  Voyages, 
when  once  arrived  in  the  sheltered  waters  and  harbors 
of  Vineyard  Sound  should  have  become  familiar  with 
them,  and  should  have  lingered  there  to  recruit  and 


Ml 


.1   1 


m 


28 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


reiit,  before  proceeding  westward ;  or  on  tlicir  return, 
to  have  waited  there  to  gather  up  resources  before 
venturing  out  on  the  open  ocean.  Indeed,  it  is  re- 
corded in  theii'  sagas  that  they  brought  off  boat  loads 
of  grapes  from  those  pleasant  shores.  What  more 
probable  than  that  they  cultivated  friendly  relations 
with  the  natives,  and  in  coming  to  an  understanding 
with  them  on  subjects  in  common,  should  have  told 
them  the  Norwegian  terms  for  the  hills  and  headlands 
of  their  coast,  and  that  the  Indians,  in  the  paucity  of 
their  own  language,  should  have  adopted  the  appella- 
tive holl,  which  they  were  told  signified  hill,  so  impor- 
tant as  a  landmark  to  these  wandering  sea  kings! 
Why  may  not  the  Norsemen  have  called  them  so, 
until  the  natives  adopted  the  same  title,  and  handed  it 
down  to  the  English  explorers  under  Bartholomew 
Gosnold,  who  gave  their  own  patronymics  to  those 
several  holls,  or  holes,  as  now  called  ?  The  statement 
of  "  the  oldest  inhabitant "  of  Wood's  Hole,  on  being 
asked  where  the  word  hole  came  from,  is,  that  he 
"  always  understood  that  it  came  from  the  Indians.'' 

There  being  no  harbor  on  the  shores  of  Martha's 
Vineyard  island  west  of  Holmes'  Hole,  the  voyagers 
would  naturally  follow  the  north  shore  of  the  sound 
and  become  familiar  with  the  Elizabeth  Islands,  and 
be  more  likely  to  give  names  to  the  localities  on  that 
side  than  on  the  other.  Bet>i^een  Wood's  Hole  and 
Holmes'  Hole  the  sound  is  narrowest,  and  they  would 
be  apt  to  frequent  either  harbor  as  the  winds  and  tide 
niight  make  it  safe  or  convenient  for  them. 


i 

■ft 
,« 

I 

f 


aj) 


PRKIACK    TO       IIK    NKW    KDITION. 


29 


return, 
before 
b  is  re- 
it  loads 
t  more 
ilations 
tanding 
ve  told 
adlands 
iicity  of 
appella- 
)  impor- 

kings! 
liem  so, 
anded  it 
lolomcw 
to  those 
;atement 
m  being 

that  he 
lians.'' 
Martha's 
voyagers 
16  sound 
tnds,  and 

on  that 
lole  and 
By  would 

and  tide 


It  seems  to  confirm  the  views  here  advanced  that 
ill  no  otlier  part  of  this  continent  or  of  the  worki, 
where  tlie  English  liave  settled,  is  to  be  connnonly 
found  tlie  looal  name  of  hole,  and  yet  here  in  a  dis- 
Tiiiice  of  sixty  miles,  the  thoroughfare  of  these  bold 
navigators,  tliere  are  no  less  than  five  such  still  extant. 
How  can  it  be  explained  except  because  it  is  "the 
track  of  the  Norsemen"?  It  is  not  natural  or  proba- 
i)le,  with  their  imperfect  means  of  navigation,  that 
they  should  have  passed  from  Greenland  to  Narragan- 
sctt  Bay,  leaving  distinct  traces  in  each,  and  yet  to 
have  ignored  the  whole  intervening  space,  and  not  to 
liuve  lingered  awhile  on  the  shores  where  they  found 
grapes  by  the  boat  load,  and  which  must  have  been  as 
fair  and  pleasant  in  those  days  as  t'ley  are  now.  It  is 
to  be  hoped  that  at  least  our  people  will  not  be  in 
haste  to  wipe  out  the  local  names  of  Vineyard  Sound, 
when  it  is  so  likely  that  they  are  the  oldest  on  the 
continent,  and  give  to  Massachusetts  a  priority  of 
discovery  and  settlement  over  her  sister  States.  Only 
let  us  correct  the  spelling,  and  give  proper  significance 
to  them  by  calling  the  places  now  named  Hole  by  the 
appropriate  title  of  IIoll. 

Before  closing  this  preface  we  wish  to  add  a  few 
facts  about  the  plans  of  the  distinguished  violinist 
Ole  Bull  in  reference  to  a  monument  in  honor  of 
the  Norse  discoverers  of  America. 

At  the  close  of  a  complimentary  reception  given 
to  the  distinguished  artist  in  the  Music  llall,  Boston, 


f 


m 


1 1 


-,c  I 


30 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


Massachusetts,  on  the  8th  of  December,  1876,  the 
ilev.  Edward  Everett  Hale  rose  in  liis  place  on  the 
floor  and  said*  he  supposed  it  was  known  to  every 
person  present  that  the  distinguished  artist  had  spent 
almost  the  whole  of  his  active  life  in  knotting  those 
ties  which  connected  his  country  with  ours.  It  was 
hoped  that  in  some  future  time  there  would  be 
erected  a  physical  memorial  to  the  early  discoverers 
of  whom  he  had  spoken.  It  wan  the  wish  of  those 
about  him  [Mr,  Hale],  at  whose  request  he  spoke, 
that  Boston  should  not  be  behind  in  any  expression 
of  gratitude  to  liim  [Ole  Bull]  for  his  work,  as 
well  as  in  expressing  interest  in  our  Norse  ancestors. 
He  was  sure  he  expressed  the  sentiment,  not  only  of 
the  audience,  but  of  all  New  England,  when  he 
spoke  of  the  interest  with  which  he  regarded  his 
countrymen,  whom  they  regarded  as  almost  theirs. 
He  remembered,  although  it  was  nearly  forty  years 
ago,  when  much  such  an  audience  as  he  saw 
about  him  cheered  and  applauded  Edward  Everett, 
when  the  early  discoveries  had  just  been  made,  and 
when  in  one  of  the  last  of  his  public  poems  ho 
expressed  the  wish  that  the  great  discoveries  of  Thor- 
vald  might  be  coimnemorated  by  Thorvald's  great 
descendant,  the  Northern  artist  Thorwaklsen.      The 

♦From  report  in  Boston  daily  "Advertiser." 


II' 


PREFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


81 


icoverers    | 


last  words  of  that  poem  as  they  died  upon  the  ear 

were ; 

Thorvald  shall  live  for  aye  in  Thorwaldgen. 

lie  [the  speaker]  thought  it  was  a  misfortune  for 
New  England  that  the  great  Northern  artist  died 
before  he  could  accomplish  this  wish.  But  New 
Englanders  had  never  forgotten  it,  and  had  never 
forgotten  their  Norse  ancestors.  It  was  an  enter- 
prise which  ought  to  engage  Massachusetts  men  — 
the  preservation  of  a  physical  memorial  of  Thorvald, 
Leif  and  Thorfinn ;  and  he  suggested  that  the  com- 
mittee which  had  arranged  the  meeting  should  be- 
come  a  committee  of  New  England,  in  conjunction 
with  Mr.  Appleton,  to  take  this  matter  in  special 
charge.  Mr.  Ilale  put  a  motion  to  this  effect,  and 
it  was  carried,  and  the  committee  constituted. 

The  committee  of  the  Norsemen  Memorial  includes 
the  highest  civic  officers  of  Boston  and  Massachusetts, 
and  so  many  men  renowned  throughout  the  world  in 
science,  in  letters,  and  in  art,  that  we  cannot  refrain 
from  ornamenting  our  pages  with  their  names.  They 
are,  Thomas  G.  Appleton,  Alexander  II.  Rice,  Sam- 
uel C.  Cobb,  Wm.  Gaston,  Otis  Norcross,  -Frederic 
W.  Lincoln,  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  II.  W.  Paine,  Henry 
A.  Whitney,  Franklin   Haven,  Geo.  C.  Richardson, 


I    ; 


\\ 


82 


PUEFACK    TO   TIIK    NEW    El  til  ION. 


Alplieus  Hardy,  Jos.  1>.  Glover,  Joliii  W.  Candlor, 
E.  II.  Sainj)son,  James  li.  Osgood,  Oliver  Ditso.i, 
Jas.  II.  Danforth,  Curtis  Guild,  W.  W.  Clap]),  Jerome 
Jones,  George  O.  Carpenter,  Chas.  AV^.  Wilder,  Dexter 
Smith,  Wm.  Emerson  Baker,  James  W.  Bartlett,  Jos. 
W.  Robbins,  Ole  Bull,  John  G.  Whittier,  E.  iN.  ITors- 
tbrd,  O.  W.  Holmes,  J.  R.  Lowell,  James  T.  Fields, 
Chas.  ^y.  Eliot,  G.  W.  Blagden,  Edward  E.  Hale, 
R.  C.  Waterston,  William  B.  Rogers,  John  D.  Run- 
kle,  Ezra  Farnsworth,  Charles  M.  Clapp,  Joseph  Bur- 
nett, John  P.  Spanlding,  Henry  R.  Reed,  W.  A. 
Simmons,  Wm.  H.  Baldwin,  Percival  L.  Everett,  A. 
B.  Underwood,  Thomas  Sherwin,  Benjamin  Kimball, 
Moses  II.  Sargent,  W.  B.  Sears,  J.  Watson  Taylor, 
Francis  L.  Hills,  secretary. 

This  committee  is, 

First,  To  take  measures  to  erect  a  monument  in 
honor  of  the  Norsemen  wlio  first  discovered  the  Con- 
tinent of  America,  about  a.d.  1000. 

Second,  For  the  protection  of  the  Dighton  Rock, 
now  in  Taunton  River. 

The  committee  issued,  January  12,  1877,  a  cir- 
cular, of  which  the  following,  relating  to  the  Dighton 
Rock,  is  an  extract : 

The  origin  of  the  inscriptions  cut  on  this  rock 
have  been,  for  several  centuries,  the  study  of  histo- 


PKEFACE   TO   THE   NEW    EDITION. 


33 


:l 


:i 


Candlor, 
Ditso.i, 
,  Jerome 
,  Dexter 
ett,  Jos. 
N^.  Tlors- 
\  Field.^, 
E.  Hale, 
D.  Run- 
;pli  Bnr- 
,  W.  A. 
erett,  A. 
Kimball, 
I  Taylor, 


iment  in 
the  Con- 
on  Rock,    I 

7,  H  cir-    I 
Dighton 

this  rock 
of  histo- 


rians. Professor  Rafn,  and  otliers,  of  the  Royal 
Society  of  Northern  Anti(iuaries,  of  Copenhagen, 
Denmark,  were  so  decided  in  their  belief  that  the 
Dighton  Rock  was  inscribed  by  the  Norsemen,  that 
Ole  Bull  requested  Neils  Arnzen  to  purchase  it  for 
that  society,  of  which  the  King  of  Denmark  is  the 
president.  This  committee  regard  the  Dighton  Rock, 
whatever  its  origin,  as  a  valuable  historic  relic  of 
American  antiquity,  and  have  taken  measures  to 
obtain  the  title  to  it,  in  order  to  protect  and  remove 
it  to  Boston.  They  invite  the  deductions  of  all 
liistoric  researchers  as  to  the  authenticity  of  these 
inscriptions.* 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Boston  committee 
will  provide  for  a  monument  in  honor  of  the  Norse 
discoverers  and  for  the  preservation  of  Dighton  Rock, 
and  we  are  informed  that  a  handsome  sum  of  money 
has  already  been  raised  for  these  purposes.  At  all 
events,  it  is  now  certain  that  Ole  Bull's  long  cher- 
ished plans  will  be  realized  ;  and  the  people  of  Boston 
are  doing  themselves  and  their  great  city  great  credit 
in  reviving  and  perpetuating  the  memory  of  those 

*An  impression  of  the  Digliton  Roclc  inscriptions,  talien  in  1790,  is 
preserved  ia  Harvard  University.  Drawings  made  in  1680  can  be  found  in 
the  ''Antiquitates  Americance.''''  This  work  records  the  inscriptions  as  Norse, 
and  describes  it  aa  conforming  to  Icelandic  Sagas  account  of  "  Thorfinn's 
Expedition  to  Vinland"  (Massachusetts). 

[Copies  of  the  photograph  of  Dighton  Rock,  taken  in  1876  by  order 
of  tbl* special  agent  of  the  United  States  government,  may  be  obtained  at 
the  offlcj  of  the  secretary  of  the  committee,  No.  13  West  street,  Boston.] 


Ill     if 


'1  . 


I 


II 


84 


PKKFACE   TO    THE    NKW    EDITION. 


who  first  of  all  Christians  planted  their  feet  on 
the  soil  of  Massachusetts,  and  built  the  tirst  cabins 
(Leif's  Booths)  in  New   Enghiiid. 

In  sending  out  this  second  edition  of  our  book 
we  may  be  pardoned  for  again  pleading  the  cause 
of  the  Norrionien  and  hoping  that  the  time  may 
soon  come  when  the  names  of  Leif  Erikson,  Bjarne 
Ilerjulfson,  Thorvald  Erikson  (who,  by  the  way,  has 
recently  been  immortalized  in  Longfellow's  "  Skele- 
ton in  Armor"),  Thortinn  Karlsefne,  Gudrid,  Erik 
Upsi,  Are  Marson,  Bjorn  Asbrandson  (the  champion 
of  Breidavik)  and  Gudleif  Gudlaugson  shall  have 
become  household  words  in  every  house  and  hamlet 
in  these  United  States.  Let  every  child  learn  the 
stories  about  the  Norse  discoverers  of  Vinland  the 
Good. 


i>y 


Univeksity  op  Wisconsin, 

Madison,  Wis.,  April  3,  1877. 


CHAPTER  I. 


t 


ii 


m 


THE  NORSEMEN,  AND  OTHER  PEOPLES,   INTERESTED 
IN  THE  DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA. 


•»■* 
1 


TTIIIE  object  of  the  following  pages  is  to  present 
-*-  the  reader  with  a  brief  account  of  the  discovery 
of  early  voyages  to  and  settlements  in  the  Western 
Continent  by  the  Norsemen,  and  to  prove  that  Co- 
lumbus must  have  had  knowledge  of  this  discovery 
by  the  Norsemen  before  he  started  to  find  America; 
and  the  author  will  not  be  surprised,  if,  in  these 
pages,  he  should  happen  to  throw  out  some  thoughts 
which  will  conflict  with  the  reader's  i)reviously- 
formed  convictions  about  matters  and  things  gen- 
erally, and  about  historical   facts  especially. 

The  interest  manifested  by  the  reader  of  history 
is  always  greater  the  nearer  the  history  which  he 
reads  is  connected  with  his  own  country  or  with 
his  own  ancestors. 

The  American  student,  on  the  one  hand,  loves 
to  dwell  upon  the  pages  of  American  history.    He 


II 


'11 


'J 


30 


AMKUIJA    NOT    DISCOVKUKI)    IJY    COLL'MBUS. 


iidinircB  the  resolution,  the  fortitude  and  persever- 
ance of  the  l*ilgriiii  Fathers  as  they  passed  through 
their  varied  scenes  of  hardsliip  and  adversity  when 
tiiey  made  their  tirst  settlement  upon  our  New 
Kngland  shores;  and  his  whole  soul  is  filled  with 
transporting  emotions  of  delight  or  sympathy  as  he 
reads  the  thrilling  incidents  of  the  sufferings  and 
the  victories  of  his  countrymen  who  fought  for  his 
as  well  as  for  their  own  freedom  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary war. 

The  Norse  student,  on  the  other  hand,  takes 
special  pleasure  in  perusing  the  old  Sagas  and  Ed- 
das,  and  following  the  Vikings  on  their  daring  but 
victorious  expeditions  through  European  waters  ;  and 
he  draws  inspiration  from  those  beautiful  and  poet- 
ical ancient  myths  and  stories  about  Odin,  Thor, 
Baldur,  Loke,  the  Giant  Ymer,  Ragnarok,  Yg- 
drasil,  and  that  innumerable  host  of  godlike  heroes 
that  illuminate  the  pages  of  his  people's  ancient 
history,  nnd  glitter  like  brilliant  diamonds  in  the 
dust  and  darkness  of  bygone  ages. 

The  subject  to  which  your  attention  is  invited, 
the  Discovery  of  America^  is,  if  properly  presented, 
of  equal  interest  to  Americans  and  Norsemen.  For 
those  who  are  born  and  brought  up  on  the  fertile 
floil  of  Columbia,  under  the  shady  branches  of  the 


f: 


AMKIiICA    XOT   DISCO VKItKO    BV   COLUMBUS. 


;r 


iiuhlo  tree  of  American  liberty,  wliere  the  banner 
of  |>roii;refts  and  education  is  unfurletl  to  the  breeze, 
imist  naturally  feel  a  deep  interest  in  whatever 
facts  may  be  presented  in  relation  to  the  tirst  dis- 
'jovery  and  early  settlement  of  this  their  native  land; 
while  those  who  first  saw  the  sunli«^ht  beaminj^ 
anion<j^  the  ruij^i^ed,  snow-capped  mountains  of  old 
Norway,  and  can  still  feel  any  of  the  heroic  blood 
of  their  dauntless  forefathers  course  its  way  through 
their  veins,  must,  as  a  matter  of  course,  feel  an 
e(iually  deej)  interest  in  learning  that  their  own 
ancestors,  the  intrepid  Norsemen,  were  the  first  pale- 
faced  men  who  planted  their  feet  on  this  gem  of  the 
ocean,  and  an  interest,  too,  I  dare  say,  in  having 
the  claims  of  their  native  country  to  this  honor 
vindicated. 

The  subject  is  not  without  special  interest  to  the 
Gcpmans,  as  it  will  appear  in  the  course  of  this 
sketch  that  a  German,*  who  accompanied  the  Norse- 
men on  their  first  expedition  to  this  Western  Work', 
is  intimately  connected  with  the  first  name  of  this 
country ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  a  German,t 
through  his  writings  about  the  Norsemen,  was  the 
means  of  bringing  to  Columbus  valuable  information 
about  America. 

The  Welsh  also  have  an  interest  in  this  subject; 

*  Tyrkcr.  t  Adam  of  Bremen. 


*l 


38 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCO V EKED   15 V    COLUMBUS. 


for  it  is  genenilly  belie 7ed,  and  not  without  reason, 
that  their  ancestors,  under  tlie  leadership  of  Madoc, 
made  a  settlement  in  this  country  about  the  year 
1170 ;  thus,  although  they  were  170  years  later 
than  the  Norsemen  in  making  the  discovery,  they 
were  still  322  years  ahead  of  Columbus,  and  Norse- 
men, therefore,  claim  in  this  question,  Welshmen's 
sympathies  against  Columbus. 

We  might  enlist  the  interest  of  Irishmen,  too,  in 
the  presentation  of  this  subject;  for,  in  the  year 
1029,  (according  to  an  account  in  the  Eykbyggja 
Saga,  Chapter  64,)  a  Norse  navigator,  by  name 
GuDLEiF  GuDLAUGSON,  uiidei'took  a  voyage  to  Dub- 
lin, and  on  leaving  Ireland  again  he  intended  to 
sail  to  Iceland ;  but  he  met  with  northeast  winds 
and  was  driven  far  to  the  west  and  southwest  in 
the  sea,  where  no  land  was  to  be  seen.  It  was 
already  late  in  the  summer,  and  Gudleif,  with  his 
party,  made  many  prayers  that  they  might  escape 
from  the  sea.  And  it  came  to  pass,  says  the  Saga, 
that  they  saw  land,  but  they  knew  not  what  land 
it  was.  Then  they  resolved  to  sail  to  the  laad,  for 
they  were  weary  with  contending  longer  with  the 
violence  of  the  sea.  They  found  there  a  good  har- 
bor, and  when  they  had  been  a  short  time  on  shore, 
there  came  some  people  to  them.     They  knew  none 


mil 


A^rKKirA    NOT   DISCOVERED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


39 


of  the  peoi)lc,  Init  it  "  rather  appeared  to  them  that 
thei/  sjXfl'e  Irishy 

Tliis  portion  of  America,  supposed  to  be  situated 
soutli  of  tlie  Chesapeake  Bay,  including  North  and 
South  Cvrolina,  Gkoroia,  and  East  Florida,  is  in 
tlie  Saga  of  Thorfinn  Karlssefne,  chapter  13,  called 
"  hiand-it-Mlkla^''  that  is,  Great  Ireland.  It  is 
flaiiiied  that  the  name,  Great  Ireland^  arose  from 
tlic  fact  that  the  country  had  been  colonized,  long 
before  G ndlaucjsoiib  s  visit,  by  the  Irish,  and  that, 
they  coming  from  their  own  green  island  to  a  vast 
continent  possessing  many  of  the  fertile  qualities  of 
tlieir  own  native  soil,  the  appellation  was  natural  and 
M})propriate.  There  is  nothing  improbable  in  this 
conclusion  ;  for  the  Irish,  who  visited  and  inhabited 
Iceland  toward  the  close  of  the  eighth  century,  to 
accomplish  which  they  had  to  traverse  a  stormy  ocean 
to  the  extent  of  eight  hundred  miles — who,  as  early 
as  725,  were  found  upon  the  Faroe  Isles  —  and  whose 
voyages  between  Ireland  and  Iceland,  in  the  tenth 
century,  were  of  ordinary  occurrence  —  a  people  so 
familiar  with  tiie  sea  were  certainly  capable  of  making 
a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  ocean. 

I  cannot  here  enter  upon  any  further  discussion 
of  the  claims  of  the  Irish,  but  you  observe  that  this 
subject   of   discovering    iVmerica  cannot   be   treated 


% 

1 

I', 

■V 

i- 


a 


40 


AMERICA    NOT   DISCOV  EKED   JJY    COLUMBUS. 


exhaustively   without    bringing    back    to    the    mind 

fond   recollections  of  the   Emerald   Isle,  which   was 

once  the  School  of  Western  Europe,  and  her  brave 

sons 

"  Inclyta  gens  hominum,  milite,  pace,  fide," 

as  Bishop  Donatus  somewhere  has  it. 


m 
W 


CHAPTER  II. 


NORSE  LITERATURE  HAS  BEEN   NEGLECTED  BY  THE 
LEARNED  MEN  OF  THE  GREAT  NATIONS. 

TpNLlGHTENED  men  all  over  tl.c  world  are 
-*—^^  wateiiing,  with  astonishrneTit  and  admiration, 
the  New  World,  from  which  great  revolutions  have 
proceeded,  and  in  which  great  problems  in  human 
government,  human  progress  and  enterprise,  are  yet 
to  be  worked  out  and  demonstrated. 

People  are  everywhere  eagerly  observing  every 
event  that  takes  place  in  America,  making  it  the 
subject  of  the  most  careful  sv^rutiny,  and  the  results, 
wonderful  as  they  arc,  everywhere  awaken  the  most 
intense  interest.  If  you  travel  in  England,  in  Ger- 
many, in  Norway,  or  in  any  of  the  North-European 
countries,  it  is  interesting  to  observe  how  familiar 
the  common  people  are  with  matters  and  things  per- 
taining to  America.  They  not  only  know  America 
better  than  they  know  their  border  countries,  but 
there  also  are  found  not  a  few  who  keep  themselves 
better  posted    on    the    affairs   of   America   than    on 

those  of  their  own  country. 

2* 


■'I 


ii 


42 


AMERICA   NOT   DISCOVERED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


Until  recently,  \t  has  generally  been  supposed 
that  America  was  wholly  unknown  to  European  na- 
tions previous  to  the  time  of  Columbus;  but  investi- 
gations by  learned  men  have  made  it  certain,  beyond 
the  shadow  of  a  doubt,  that  the  Europeans  did  have 
knowledge  of  this  country  long  before  the  time  of 
Columbus,  and  it  has  even  been  claimed,  on  quite 
plausible  grounds,  that  some  of  the  nations  living 
here  at  the  time  of  Columbus'  discovery  of  this  coii- 
tinent  were  descendants  of  Europeans. 

As  yet  but  few  scholars  have  turned  their  atten- 
tion to  the  North  of  Europe  in  relation  to  this 
subject,  and  hence  the  light  which  this  extreme 
portion  of  the  globe  could  give  has  hitherto  been, 
in  a  great  measure,  neglected  by  the  learned  men 
of  the  great  nations ;  and  yet  the  antiquities  of  the 
North  furnish  a  series  of  incontestable  evidence  that 
the  coast  of  North  America  was  discovered  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  tenth  century,  immediately  aitor 
the  discovery  of  Greenland  by  the  Norsemen ;  fur- 
thermore, that  this  same  coast  was  visited  repeatedly 
by  the  Norsemen  in  the  eleventh  century;  further- 
more, that  it  was  visited  by  them  in  the  twelfth 
century ;  nay,  also,  that  it  was  found  again  by  them 
in  the  thirteenth  century,  and  revisited  in  the  four- 
teenth century.     But   even   this  is   not  all.    These 


AMERICA   NOT    DISCOVERED   BY   COLUMBUS. 


43 


Northern  antiquities  also  show  that  Christianity  had 
boon  introduced  in  America,  not  only  among  the 
Norsemen,  who  formed  a  settlement  here,  but  also 
among  the  aborigines,  or  native  population,  that  the 
Norsemen  found  here. 

The  learned  men  of  the  North  are  not  to  blame 
that  this  matter  has  not  previously  received  due 
attention,  for  Torf^us  published  an  account  thereof 
as  early  as  the  year  1705,  and  besides  him  Suhm 
and  ScHCENiNG  and  Lagerbring  and  Wormskjold 
and  SciiRCEDER,  to  say  nothing  of  many  others, 
have  all  presented  the  main  facts  in  their  historical 
works.  But  other  nations  paid  no  attention  to  all 
this.  Not  until  1837,  when  the  celebrated  Pro- 
fessor Rafn,  through  the  laudable  enterprise  of  the 
Royal  Society  of  Northern  Antiquities,  published 
liis  learned,  interesting  and  important  work,*  could 
scholars  outside  of  Scandinavia  be  induced  to  examine 
the  claims  of  the  Norsemen.  Professor  Rafn  suc- 
ceeded, and  he  has  perhaps  done  more  than  any 
other  one  man  to  call  the  attention  of  other  nations 
to  the  importance  of  studying  the  Old  Norse  lite- 
rature. Thus  it  is  that  scholars  of  other  nations 
recently  have  begun  to  direct  their  attention  to 
Northern  Antiquities,  Northern  Languages  and  His- 

*  Antiqiiitatcs  Americ.  n>c.  Hafniae.  1837. 


n 


i\ 


{'■- 


■  1 1 


44 


AMERICA    NOT   DISCOVEKED    BY    COLUMJUJB. 


tory.  Germany  and  England,  and  I  would  like  to 
add  America,  are  now  beginning  to  realize  how 
much  valuable  material  is  to  be  found  in  these 
sources  for  elucidating  the  history  and  institutions 
of  other  contemporary  nations ;  and  especially  do  the 
early  Sagas  of  the  North  throw  much  important  light 
on  the  character  of  English  and  German  institutions 
during  the  middle  ages.  The  English  and  Germans 
are  translating  the  Sagas  as  ftist  as  they  can.  Pro- 
fessors KoNKAD  Mauker  and  Tn.  Moebius  are  doing 
excellent  work  at  their  respective  Universities  in 
Germany;  Oxford  and  Cambridge  in  England  have 
each  an  Icelandic  Professor,  and  several  American 
Universities  give  instruction  in  the  Northern  lan- 
guages. 

Tt  is  indeed  an  encouraging  fact  that  these  great 
nations  are  gradually  becoming  conscious  of  the 
importance  of  studying  the  Northern  languages  and 
literature,  and  we  may  safely  hope  that  the  time  is 
not  far  distant  when  the  Norsemen  will  be  recog- 
nized in  their  right  social,  political  and  literary 
character,  and  at  the  same  time  as  navigators  assume 
their  true  position  in  the  pre-Columbian  discovery 
of  America. 


1 


IS 


like  to 
e   how 
I  these 
itutioiis 
do  the 
nt  light 
itutions 
rermans 
,     rro- 
-e  doing 
iities   ill 
nd  have 
jnericaii 
ern  hiii 

ise  great 

of    the 

iges  and 

time  IB 

recog- 

literary 

assume 

liscovery 


CHAPTER  III, 


ANTIQUITY  OF  AMERICA. 

T3)EFOTlE  the  plains  of  Europe  rose  ahove  the 
-'-^  primeval  seas,  the  continent  of  America,  accord- 
i!ig  to  Louis  Agassiz,  emerged  from  the  watery 
waste  that  encircled  the  whole  glohe  and  became 
tlie  scene  of  animal  life.  Hence  the  so-called  New 
World  is  in  reality  the  Old,  and  Agassiz  gives 
abundant  proof  of  its  hoary  age. 

But  who  is  able  even  to  conjecture  at  what 
period  it  became  the  abode  of  man?  Down  to  the 
close  of  the  tenth  century  its  written  history  is 
vague  and  uncertain.  We  can  find  traces  of  a  rude 
civilization  that  suggest  a  very  high  antiquity.  We 
can  show  mounds,  monuments,  and  inscriptions,  that 
point  to  periods,  the  contemplation  of  which  would 
make  Chronos  himself  grow  giddy ;  yet  among  all 
these  great  and  often  impressive  memorials  there 
is  no  monument,  mound,  or  inscription,  that  solves 
satisfiictorily  the  mystery  of  their  origin.  There  are 
but  few  traditions  even  to  aid  us  in  our  researches, 


i 


^4l 

m 


\    i 


46 


AMliUK^V    NOT    IMSCOVKKKD    HY    COIiUMHUS. 


and  wc  can  only  infer  that  age  after  age  nations 
and  tribes  have  continued  to  rise  into  greatness 
and  then  decline  and  fall,  and  that  barbarism  and 
a  rude  culture  have  held  alternate  sway.* 

♦  Comparu  Dc  i:o»i&,  pa^o  11. 


CIIAPTEK   IV. 


ii 


1»I1ENICIAN,  GREEK,   IRISH  AND  WELSH  CLAIMS. 


TN  curly  times  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  like  all  other 
things  without  known  bounds,  was  viewed  by 
man  with  mixed  feelings  of  fear  and  awe.  It  was 
usually  called  the  Sea  of  Darkness. 

The  I*nKNicrAN,  and  especially  Tykian  voyages  to 
the  Western  Continent,  in  early  times,  have  been 
warmly  advocated ;  and  it  is  more  than  probal  1e  that 
tlie  original  inhabitants  of  the  American  continont 
crossed  the  Atlantic  instead  of  piercing  the  icy 
regions  of  the  nortn  and  coming  by  the  way  of 
Behring's  Strait.  From  the  Canaries,  which  were 
discovered  and  colonized  by  the  Phenicians,  it  is  a 
short  voyage  to  America,  and  the  bold  sailors  of 
the  Mediterranean,  after  touching  at  these  islands, 
could  easily  and  safely  be  wafted  to  the  western 
shore. 

That  the  Greek  philosopher,  Pytheas,  whose  dis- 
coveries about  the  different  length  of  the  days  in 
various  climates  appeared  so  astonishing  to  the  other 


I ,' ' 


l,i: 


48 


AMKKKJA    NOT    I)IS(!()VKUKI)    IIY    (JOLUMIUfl. 


pliilosoplicra  of  Iiis  5i«^e,  traversed  the  Atlantic  Ooean 
ibout  IJ4(>  years  l)etbre  Clirist,  can  scarcely  be  doubted. 
He  certainly  discovered  Thule  *  (Iceland),  and  deter- 
mined its  latitude,  and  we  may  at  least  say  that  by 
this  discovery  he  oi)cned  the  way  to  America  for 
the  Norsemen. 

Claims  have  been  made,  as  I  have  already  shown, 
both  by  the  Irish  and  by  the  Welsh,  that  they 
crossed  the  Atlantic  and  found  America  before 
Oolumbus,  but  it  is  not  my  purpose  to  connnent 
upon  these  claims  i'  this  short  sketch.  Much 
learned  discussion  has  been  devoted  to  the  subject, 
but  the  early  history  of  the  American  continent  is 
still,  to  a  ii;reat  extent,  veiled  in  mystery,  and  not 
until  near  the  close  of  the  tenth  century  of  the 
present  era  can  we  point,  with  absolute  certainty, 
to  a  genuine  transatlantic  voya«j^e. 

*  See  Strabo's  Oco{;raphy,  Uook  H,  §  G. 


CHAPTER  V. 


WHO  WERE  THE  NORSEMEN? 


^  I  ^IIE  first  voyaf^c  to  America,  of  wliich  wc  have 
^  any  perfectly  reliable  account,  was  performed 
by  the  Norsemen. 

l*nt  who  were  the  Norsemen  ?  Permit  me  to 
answer  this  question  briefly. 

The  Norsemen  were  the  descendants  of  a  branch 
of  the  Teutonic  race  that,  in  early  times,  emigrated 
from  Asia  and  traveled  westward  and  northward, 
tinally  settling  down  in  what  is  now  the  west  cen- 
tral part  of  the  kingdom  of  Norway.  Their  lan- 
guage was  the  Old  Norse,  which  is  still  preserved 
and  spoken  in  Iceland,  and  upon  it  are  founded  the 
modern  Norse,  Danish  and  Swedish  languages. 

The  ancient  Norsemen  were  a  bold  and  inde- 
pendent people.  They  were  a  free  people.  Their 
rulers  were  elected  by  the  people  in  convention 
assembled,  and  all  public  matters  of  importance  were 
decided  in  the  assemblies,  or  open  parliaments  of 
the  people. 

Abroad    they    became    the    most    daring    adven- 


50 


AMEKICA    NOT    DISCOVEKED    HV    COLUMBUS. 


turers.  They  made  themselves  known  in  every 
part  of  the  civilized  world  by  their  daring  as  sol- 
diers and  navigators.  They  spread  themselves  along 
the  shores  of  Europe,  making  conquests  and  plant- 
ing colonies. 

In  their  conquering  expeditions  they  subdued  a 
large  portion  of  England,  wrested  Normandy,  the 
fairest  province  of  France,  from  the  French  king, 
conquered  a  considerable  portion  of  Belgium,  and 
made  extensive  inroads  into  Spain.  Under  Robert 
Guiscard  they  made  themselves  masters  of  Sicily 
and  lo"  jr  Italy  in  the  eleventh  centu  ,  and  main- 
tained their  power  there  for  a  long  j.  During 
the  Crusades  they  led  the  van  of  the  chivalry  of 
Europe  in  rescuing  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  and  ruled 
over  Antioch  under  Guiscard's  son,  Bohemund.  They 
passed  between  the  pillars  of  Hercules,  they  deso- 
lated the  classic  fields  of  Greece  and  penetrated  the 
walls  of  Constantinople. 

Straying  away  into  the  distant  east,  from  where 
they  originally  came,  we  lind  them  laying  the 
foundations  of  the  Russian  Empire,  swinging  their 
two-edged  battle-axes  in  the  streets  of  Constantino- 
ple, where  they  served  as  the  leaders  of  the  Greek 
Emperor's  body-guard,  and  the  main  support  of  his 
tottering  throne.     They   carved    their  mystic   runes 


' 

.i;ii 

4 

• 

\ 

1 

1 

ii 

AMKKICA    NCYl'    DISCOVKKKD    IIY    C<)I-l'MIU'8. 


51 


upon  the  marble  lion*  in  the  liarbor  of  Athens 
in  commemoration  of  their  corKiuest  of  this  city. 
The  old  Norse  Vikings  sailed  up  the  rivers  Rhine, 
Schelde,  the  Seine  and  Loire,  conquering  Cologne 
and  Aachen,  where  they  turned  the  emperor's  palace 
into  a  stable,  tilling  the  heart  of  even  the  great 
Charlemagne  with  dismay. 

The  rulers  of  England  are  descendants  of  the 
Norsemen.  Ganger  llolf,  known  in  English  history 
by  the  name  Kollo,  a  son  of  Ilarald  Ilaarfogr's 
friend,  Kagnvald  Morcjai',  invaded  France  in  the 
year  912  and  took  possession  of  Normandy;  and  in 
lOGO,  at  the  battle  of  Hastings,  William  the  Con- 
(pieror,  a  great-grandson  of  Ganger  Rolf,  conquered 
England  ;  and  it  is  proper  to  add,  that  from  this  con- 
(piest  the  pride  and  glory  of  Great  Britain  descended. 

It  is  also  a  noticeable  fact,  that  the  most  serious 
opposition  that  William  the  Conqueror  met  with 
came  from  colonists  of  his  own  race,  who  had  set- 
tled in  Northumbria.  He  wasted  their  lands  with 
fire  and  sword,  and  drove  them  beyond  the  border: 
but  still  we  find  their  energy,  their  perseverance 
and  their  speech  existing  in  the  north  English  and 
lowland  Scotch  dialects. 

*  The  marble  lion  upon  which  they  carved  their  nines  was  afterward 
taken  to  Venice  and  erected  at  the  entrance  of  the  arsenal,  where  it  may 
be  seen  at  the  present  time. 


A 


:1 


II 


■PA 


CIIAPTEK    VI. 


ICELAND. 


npUT  Europe  did  not  set  bounds  to  the  voyages 
-*-^  and  enterprises  of  the  Norsemen.  In  the  year 
8(10  tliey  discovered  Iceland,  and  soon  afterward  (87-1) 
establislied  upon  this  ishmd  a  republic,  which  flour- 
ished four  hundred  years.  The  Icelandic  republic 
furnislies  the  very  best  evidence  of  the  independent 
spirit  which  characterized  the  Norsemen. 

Political  circumstances  in  Norway  urged  many 
of  the  boldest  and  most  independent  people  in  the 
country  to  seek  an  asylum  of  freedom.  IIarald 
IIaakfagr  (i.  e.  the  Fair-liaired)  !iad  determined  to 
make  himself  monarch  of  all  Norway.  He  was 
instigated  to  unite  Norway  under  his  scepter  by 
the  ambition  of  the  fair  and  proud  Raona  Adils- 
DATiER  (daughter),  whom  he  loved  and  courted ; 
but  she  declared  that  the  man  she  married  would 
have  to  be  king  of  all  Norway.  IIarald  accepted 
the  conditions;  and  after  twelve  years'  hard  light- 
ing, during  which  time  he  neither  cut  nor  combed 


AMKIilCA    NOT    DISCOVKRED    HY    COL'MBUS. 


53 


his  Iwiir  oiicc,'^'  in  the  year  872,  at  the  !)attle  of 
Hat'crstjord,  Norway  became  united  inio  one  king- 
dom, instead  of  being-  (bvided  into  thirty-one  small 
re|>ul>lic's,  as  had  been  the  case  before  that  time. 

llarald  had  subdued  or  slain  tlie  numerous  leaders, 
and  had  ])assed  a  law  abolishing  all  freehold  tenure 
of  |)ro})erty,t  usurping  it  for  the  crown.  To  tl:'*s 
the  |troutl  freemen  of  Norway  would  not  submit, 
hisdaining  to  yield  their  ancient  indepe'idcnce  and 
he  degraded,  they  resolved  to  leave  those  lands  and 
homes,  which  they  cowh]  now  scarcely  call  their  own, 
and  set  out  with  their  families  and  followers  in  (juest 
of  new  seats.  There  were  as  great  emigrations  from 
Noi'way  in  those  days  as  there  are  now.  The  Norse 
spirit  of  enterprise  is  as  old  as  their  history. 

Whither  tlien  should  they  l'-o,  was  the  question. 

Some  weut  to  the  Hebrides,  others  to  the  Orkney 
Isles;  some  to  the  Shetland  an  ^.  Faroe  Isles;  many 
went  as  V^ikings  to  England,  Scotland  and  France; 
hut  by  far  the  greater  nund)er  went  to  the  more 
distant  and  therefore  more  secure  Iceland,  which 
had  been  discovered  by  the  celebrated  Norse  Viking 

♦  He  nimle  a  pledge  to  IlnKtia  thnt  he  would  noil  her  cut  nor  comb  his 
liuir  niifil  lie  lind  suhjiit.'fod  all  Norway. 

t  This  po-called  iidnl.  t'<"id.  Mai,  Norso  odi'l,  nllodliini,]  /'  c.  indcpondont 
ti'imre  of  propi-riy,  wn«  Riron  hai-k  fo  tlu-  Nornonu>n  by  KiiiR  Hakon  tho 
Uood  iu  the  year  iWS,  and  liiiS  tiuvcr  bIuco  been  taken  away  from  them. 


I 

I? 

■'ii 

i 


It 


it 


(  ; 


'\ 


54 


AMKKICA   NOT    DISCOVEKEI)    liY    COLUMBUS. 


Naddodd  ill  8G0,  and  called  by  him  Snowlaud;  re- 
discovered by  Gardar,  of  Swedish  extraction,  in  8G4, 
after  whom  it  was  called  Gardar's  Holm  (island), 
and  visited  by  two  Norsemen,  Ingolf  and  Leif 
(lljorleifr)  in  870,  by  whom  it  was  called  Iceland. 
This  emigration  from  Norway  to  Iceland  began  in 
the  year  874,  now  more  than  a  thousand  years  ago ; 
and  thus  this  strange  island  was  peopled  —  and  in  a 
few  years  peopled  to  a  surprising  extent.  It  was  not 
long  before  it  had  upward  of  50,000  inhabitants. 
You  must  bear  in  mind  that  this  colonization  was 
on  an  island  in  the  cold  North  Sea,  a  little  below 
the  Arctic  Circle.  It  was  in  a  climate  where  grain 
refused  to  ripen,  and  where  the  people  often  were 
obliged  to  shake  the  snow  olf  the  frozen  hay  before 
they  could  carry  it.  Fishing,  the  main  support  of 
the  people,  was  often  obstructed  by  ice  from  the 
polar  regions  filling  their  harbors,  and  the  whole 
island  presented  a  most  melancholy  aspect  of  desola- 
tion. But  still  the  people  continued  to  tiock  thither 
and  become  attached  to  the  soil.  They  were  sur- 
rounded the  whole  j^ear  by  dreary  ice-mountains,  the 
glare  of  volcanic  flames,  and  the  roaring  of  geysers 
or  boiling  springs.  Still  they  loved  this  wild  coun- 
try, because  they  were  fi^eCy  and  through  the  long 
winters,  when  the  sun  nearly  or  entirely  disappeared 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


55 


jre  sur- 


t'rom  above  the  horizon,  and  nothing  but  northern 
lights  nickered  over  their  heads,  they  seemed  only 
the  more  thrown  upon  their  intellectual  resources, 
and  passed  the  time  in  reciting  the  Eddas  and  Sagas 
of  their  ancestors. 

Perhaps  I  ought  to  beg  your  pardon  for  dwelling 
60  long  upon  the  subject  of  Iceland;  but  my  apol- 
ogy is  that,  in  the  first  place,  Iceland  is  of  itself  an 
exceedingly  interesting  country ;  and,  in  the  next 
place,  it  is  really  the  hi7ige  upon  which  the  door 
swings  which  opened  America  to  Europe.  This 
island  had  been  visited  by  Pytheas  340  years  before 
Christ;  and,  according  to  the  Irish  monk  Dicuilus, 
who  wrote  a  geography  in  the  year  825,  it  had  been 
visited  by  some  Irish  priests  in  the  summer  of  795.* 
It  was  the  settlement  of  Iceland  by  the  Norsemen, 
and  the  constant  voyages  between  this  island  and 
Norway,  that  led  to  the  discovery,  first  of  Greenland 
and  then  of  America;  and  it  is  due  to  the  high 
intellectual  standing  and  fine  historical  taste  of  the 
Icelanders  that  records  of  these  voyages  were  kept, 
first  to  instruct  Columbus  how  to  find  America,  and 
afterward  to  solve  for  us  the  mysteries  concerning 
the  discovery  of  this  continent. 

Iceland  is  a  small  island,  in  the  65th  deg.  north 

*  Vid.  Dicuilus,  De  Men^ura  Orbie  Terroe,  ed.  Latronnc,  p.  38. 


;fl 


■J  t 


56 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


latitude,  of  about  1,800  geographical  square  miles. 
Its  valleys  are  almost  without  verdure,  and  its 
mountains  without  trees.  Still,  it  contains,  even  at 
the  present  time,  no  less  than  70,000  inhabitants, 
who  live  a  peaceable  and  contented  life,  still  cling- 
ing to  their  ancient  language,  and  studying  foreign 
languages,  science,  philosophy,  and  history,  as  we  do 
who  live  in  milder  and  more  favored  climes.  Now, 
a»B  in  olden  times,  the  earth  trembles  in  the  throe:? 
of  the  earthquake, —  the  geysers  still  spout  their 
scalding  water,  and  the  plain  belches  forth  mud, — 
while  the  grand  old  jokul,*  Mount  Ilekla,  clad  in 
white  robes  of  eternal  snow,  brtv.idishes  aloft  its 
volcanic  torch,  as  if  threatening  to  set  the  very 
heavens  on  fire. 

For  ages  Iceland  was  destined  to  become  the  fruc- 
tuary  and  preserver  of  the  grand  old  literature  of  the 
North.  Paganism  prevailed  there  more  than  a  cen- 
tury after  the  island  became  inhabited ;  the  old  tra- 
ditions w^ere  cherished  and  committed  to  memory, 
and  shortly  after  the  introduction  of  Christianity 
the  Old  Norse  literature  was  put  in  writing. 

The  ancient  literature  and  traditions  of  Iceland 
excel  anything  of  their  kind  in  Europe  during  the 
middle  ages.     The  Icelandic  poems  have  no  parallel 

*  Mountains  covered  with  perpetual  snow  are  called  ''j6kuls"  in  Iceland. 


AMEKK'A    NOT    DISCOVEKEI)    BY    COLUMBUS. 


57 


ill  all  the  treasures  of  ancient  literature.  There  are 
jrigantic  proportions  about  them,  and  great  and  over- 
whelming tragedies  in  them,  which  rival  those  ol 
Greece.  The  early  literature  of  Iceland  is  now  fast 
becoming  ecognized  as  equal  to  that  of  ancient 
Greece  and  Rome. 

,  The  original  Teutonic  life  lived  longer  and  more 
independently  in  Norway,  and  especially  in  Iceland, 
than  elsewhere,  and  had  more  favorable  opportuni- 
ties to  grow  and  mature ;  and  the  Icelandic  literature 
is  the  full-blown  flower  of  Teutonic  heathendom. 
This  Teutonic  heathendom,  with  its  beautiful  and 
poetical  mythology,  was  rooted  out  by  superstitious 
priests  in  Germany,  and  the  other  countries  inhab- 
ited by  Teutonic  peoples,  before  it  had  developed 
sufficiently  to  produce  blossoms,  excepting  in  Eng- 
land, where  a  kindred  branch  of  the  Gothic  race 
rose  to  eminence  in  letters,  and  produced  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  literature. 


'Hit 


J 


(    1 

S 


t  ■ 


CHAPTER  VII. 


GREENLAND. 


T3UT,  as  time  passed  on,  the  people  of  Iceland 
-*— ^  felt  a  new  impulse  for  colonizing  new  and 
strange  lands,  and  the  tide  of  emigration  began  to 
tend  with  irresistible  force  toward  Greenland,  in 
the  west,  which  country  also  became  settled  in  spite 
of  its  wretched  climate. 

The  discovery  of  Greenland  was  a  natural  con- 
sequence of  the  settlement  of  Iceland,  just  as  the 
discovery  of  America  afterward  was  a  natural  con- 
sequence of  the  settlement  of  Greenland.  Between 
the  western  part  of  Iceland  and  the  eastern  part  of 
Greenland  there  is  a  distance  of  only  forty-live 
geographical  miles.  Hence,  some  of  the  ships  that 
sailed  to  Iceland,  at  the  time  of  the  settlement  of 
this  island  and  later,  could  in  case  of  a  violent  east 
wind,  which  is  no  rare  occurrence  in  those  regions, 
scarcely  avoid  approaching  the  coast  of  Greenland 
sufficiently  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  its  jokuls, — nay, 
even  to  land  on  its  islands  and  promontories.    Thus 


^li) 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED    BY   COLUMBUS. 


59 


it  is  said  that  Gunnbjorn,  Ulf  Krage's  son,  saw  land 
lying  in  the  ocean  at  the  west  of  Iceland,  when,  in 
the  year  876,  he  was  driven  out  to  the  sea  by  a 
storm.  Similar  reports  '.ere  heard,  from  time  to 
time,  by  other  mariners.  About  a  century  later  a 
certain  man,  by  name  Erik  the  Red,  had  fled  from 
the  Jadcr,  in  Norway,  on  account  of  manslaughter, 
and  had  settled  in  the  western  part  of  Iceland. 
Here  ho  also  was  outlawed  for  manslaughter,  by 
the  public  assembly,  and  condemned  to  banishment, 
lie  therefore  fitted  out  his  ship,  and  resolved  to 
go  in  search  of  the  land  in  the  west  that  Gunnbjorn 
and  others  had  seen.  lie  set  sail  in  the  year  984, 
and  found  the  land  as  he  had  expected,  and  re- 
mained there  exploring  the  country  for  two  years. 
At  the  end  of  this  period  he  returned  to  Iceland, 
giving  the  newly-discovered  coun*^^ry  the  name  of 
(iKEENLAND,  iu  ordcr,  as  he  said,  to  attract  settlers, 
who  would  be  favorably  impressed  with  so  pleasing 
a  name. 

The  result  ws  that  many  Icelanders  and  Norse- 
men emigrated  to  Greenland,  and  a  flourishing 
colony  was  established,  with  Gardar  for  its  capital 
city,  which  in  the  year  1261,  became  subject  to  the 
crown  of  Norway.  The  Greenland  colony  main- 
tained its  connection  with  the  mother  countries  for 


i; 


60 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVKKED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


a  period  of   no  less  than  400  years ;    yet  it  iinally 

disappeared,    and    was    a/most    forgotten.  Torfjeus 

gives  a    list    of   seventeen    bishops    who  ruled    in 
(Greenland. 


M 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


THE  SHIPS  OF  THE   NORSEMEN. 

I3)EF0RE  following  the  Norsemen  farther  on 
^  their  westward  course,  it  may  not  be  out  of 
])lace  to  say  a  few  words  about  their  ships.  Having 
crossed  the  briny  deep  four  times  myself,  I  have 
seen  something  of  what  is  required  in  order  to  ven- 
ture with  safety  on  so  long  watery  journeys.  I  have 
also  seen  one  of  the  old  Norse  Viking  ships,  which 
is  preserved  at  the  University  of  Norway,  and  it 
seemed  to  me  an  excellent  one  both  in  respect  to 
form  and  size.  Now,  1  do  not  mean  to  say  that  the 
old  Norsemen  possessed  sucli  ocean  crafts  as  now 
plow  the  deep  between  New  York  and  Liverpool ; 
but  what  I  mean  to  say  is  this,  that  the  Norsemen 
were  then,  as  they  are  now,  very  excellent  navigators. 
They  had  good  sea-going  vessels,  some  of  which  were 
of  large  size.  We  have  an  account,  in  Olaf  Trygvc- 
son's  Saga,  of  one  that  was  in  many  respects  remark- 
a])le.  That  part  of  the  keel  which  rested  on  the 
ground  was  140  feet  long.     None  but  the  choicest 


% 


■  i  ;  :a 


Si  11 


02 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVIiltED    UY    COIAMUUB. 


inaterlal  was  used  in  its  construction.  It  contained 
tliirty-tbur  rowing-benches,  and  its  stem  and  stern 
were  overlaid  with  gold.*  Their  vessels  would  com- 
pare favorably  with  those  of  other  nations,  whicli  have 
been  used  in  later  times  in  expeditions  around  the 
world,  and  were  in  every  way  a(laj)ted  for  an  ocean 
voyage.  They  certainly  were  as  well  fitted  to  cross 
the  Atlantic  as  were  the  ships  of  Columbus.  From 
the  Sagas  we  also  learn  that  the  Norsemen  fully 
understood  the  importance  of  cultivating  the  study 
of  navigation ;  they  knew  how  to  calculate  the  course 
of  the  sun  and  moon,  and  how  to  measure  time  by 
the  stars.  Without  a  high  degree  of  nautical  knowl- 
edge they  could  never  have  accomplished  their  voy- 
ages to  England,  France,  Spain,  Sicily,  Greece,  and 
those  still  more  difficult  voyages  to  Iceland  and 
Greenland. 

I  have  now  given  a  brief  historical  sketch  of  the 
voyages  and  enterprises  of  the  Norsemen.  I  have 
done  this  to   show   that  they  were  capable  of  the 

•This  ship  of  Olaf  Trygvcson  was  called  the  Long  Serpent,  and  wa.< 
built  by  the  ship-carpcntcr  Thorberg.  who  is  cclcbra'  ;d  in  the  annals  of 
the  North  for  his  ship-building.  The  Earl  Hakon  had  a  dragon  containiim 
forty  rowing-benches.  King  Canute  had  one  containing  sixty,  and  Kini: 
Olaf,  the  saint,  possessed  two  ships  capable  of  carrying  two  hundred  men 
each.  The  Noree  dragons  glided  on  the  waters  as  gracefully  as  ducks  or 
swans,  of  which  they  also  had  the  form.  Compare  also  "Saga  Fridthjol-' 
ens  Frtckna,"  (the  Saga  of  Fridthjof  the  Bold,  in  "Viking  Tales  of  tlio 
North,")  chapter  1,  where  his  good  ship  EUida  is  described. 


:f' 


AMKRICA    NOT    DIiSCOVKUKI)    HY    ClU^UMHUS. 


6;3 


('.\]).oit  of  discovering  America  —  nay,  that  it  was  in 
t'iict  an  unavoidable  result  of  tlieir  constant  seafaring 
life;  so  that  even  if  we  did  not  liave  the  unniis- 
t:ik[ible  language  of  the  Sagas,  we  might  still  be 
able  to  assert,  with  a  considerable  degree  of  cer- 
tainty, that  the  Norsemen  must  have  been  aware  of 
the  existence  of  tlie  American  continent.  Yes,  the 
Norsemen  were  truly  a  great  people!  Their  spirit 
found  its  way  into  the  Magna  Charta*  of  England 
and  into  the  Declaration  of  Inependencc  in  America. 
The  spirit  of  the  Vikings  still  survives  in  the  bosoms 
of  Englisiimen,  Americans  and  Norsemen,  extending 
their  commerce,  taking  bold  positions  against  tyr- 
anny, and  ])roducing  wonderful  internal  improve- 
MU'iits  in  these  countries. 

*  Cuuiparu  William  aud  Mary  Howitt. 


H 


fl 


!l 


■VMi 


CMI  AI^TKII    I  X. 


rill':  sAiJAs  ANi>  ihk'iimI':ni\s  auk  (jknuinm. 


"A\  rK  li:»vi»  now  scon  tluit  tlic^  NorHriiini  iiijuic 
^^  lluMH8i'lvi»s  known  in  ovory  part  of  llic 
fivili/AHJ  worltl ;  timt  tliry  Iiad  t'xccllont  niiipH,  tiiat 
tlii'v  wiMV  wi'll  traincti  Hojinian,  and  a  lil^lily  civ 
ili/.0(i  nation,  posHossin^  in  tact  all  tlio  means 
necessary  t'or  ivaclunji:  tlio  continent  in  tlu^  west  ; 
ami  wo  arc  tlma  prepared  t'or  tlic  vital  (picwtion, 
Did  the  iNorsenien  actnally  discover  and  expltnc 
the  coast  of  the  conntry  now  known  as  Anicrica^ 
There  is  cer.,tiidy  no  iiiiprobability  in  the  idea. 
Open  an  athis  at  the  map  of  tlie  Atlantic  Ocean, 
or  at  the  maps  of  the  two  hemispheres.  Observe 
the  distance  between  Norway  and  Icehmd,  and  tlic 
distances  between  Iceland  and  Greenhuid  and  Green- 
land and  Newfoundland.  You  perceive  it  is  more 
than  twice  the  distance  between  Norway  and  Ice- 
land that  it  is  between  Iceland  and  Greeidand,  and 
not  far  from  twice  the  distance  that  it  is  between 
Greenland  and    Liibrador,   and   thence  on   to  New- 


AMI'lMiA    Nor    IMHroVKKKti    IIV    rnr.l  MlirH. 


65 


rtiiiiiill.'iinl.  Now,  urtrr  rnucvtWu^  tlic  (Uct.  tli.'it. 
NtM'Ho  culonirK  cxihtrd  in  (irrifiilnnd  lor  at  IcuHt 
\\\\vr  liiiiwln'd  yciii'H,  wliicli  ovury  Ht.inlnit  of  Norw! 
Iiistui-y  kiiowH  l<t  Ih!  h  I'lict,  wo  iiiiiHt.  propim;  oiir 
sclvcs  fur  tilt;  |in>|M)Hit,ioii  tliut  Aruoric^ii  wuh  diH- 
coviu't'd  l>y  tli(!  NniHomcn.  It  would  ho  ulto- 
^(•tli(M'  iiiin'UHoiiuMo  to  Hii|>|)()Ho  tlifii  ii  Hoiituriti^ 
|K'o|)lo  lik(!  Ilio  NoiHomon,  wli(»  tniv(!rHod  the, 
hncid  \v('Kt(!ni  (kmsuii  to  nijich  [(joiarMJ  and  (iroon- 
laiid,  could  livo  tor  throo  CHMiturioH  within  a  Hhort 
voyage;  of  thin  vaHt  (M)iitinent  and  never  hecorno 
awaro  of   itn   (v\iHto!i(!0. 

l)Ut  fortunatoly  on  thiw  point  wo  ar(5  not  loft  to 
('onj(!(;tnr(;.  W(!  havo  a  (roinploto  writt(!rj  record  of 
th(!  dincovery.  Intelligent  men  inUHt  iirnt  Hueeeed 
in  hlottin^  out  innuirieral)Io  pa^^oH  of  well  authen- 
ticated liiHtory  hefore  they  undertake  to  deny  or 
dispute  the  facts  of  tluH  diHCovery.  While  literary 
darkness  overHpread  the  wliole  of  the  Euroj)ean 
continent  for  many  centuries  following  tlie  tenth, 
letters  were  highly  cultivated  in  Iceland ;  and  this 
is  tlie  very  time  and  country  in  which  the  Sagas 
containing  a  record  of  the  discovery  of  America 
originated.  That  they  were  written  long  before 
Columbus    is    as    easy    to   demonstrate    as    tlie    fact 

tliat  Ilerodotos  wrote  his  history  before  the  era  of 
8* 


PHP 


66 


AMERICA    NOT   DISCOVERED   BY    COLUMBUS. 


ChriSt.  The  authenticity  and  authority  of  the  Ice- 
landic Sagas  has  been  fully  aclcnowledged  by  Alex- 
ander VON  Humboldt  in  his  Cosmos,*  by  Malte- 
BRUNjf  and  many  other  distinguished  schohirs;  and 
therefore  a  further  discussion  is  at  this  time  un 
necessary  on  this  point. 

The  manuscripts,  in  which  we  have  the  Sagih 
relating  to  America,  are  found  in  the  celebrated 
Codex  Flatceensib,  a  skin-book  that  was  iinished  in 
the  year  1387.  This  work,  written  with  great  care 
and  executed  in  the  highest  style  of  art,  is  now 
preserved  in  its  integrity  in  the  archives  of  Copen- 

•  Cosmos,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  269-272,  where  Alcxaiulur  Von  IlumboUlt. 
discussing  tlic  pre-Columbian  discovery  of  America  by  the  Norsemen, 
says:  "We  are  here  on  historical  ground.  By  the  critical  and  hi«lii 
praiseworthy  efforts  of  Professor  Uafn  and  the  Royal  Society  of  Northi'in 
Antiquarie:-.  in  Copenhagen,  the  Sagas  and  documents  in  regard  to  tlic 
expeditions  of  the  Norsemen  to  Hcllaland  (Newfoundland),  to  Markland 
(the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  river  and  Nova  Scotia),  and  to  Vinlaiid 
(Massachusetts),  have  been  published  and  satisfactorily  commented  upon. 
*  *  ♦  The  discovery  of  the  northern  part  of  America  by  the  Norscmi-u 
cannot  be  disputed.  The  length  of  the  voyage,  the  direction  in  whicli 
they  sailed,  th**  time  of  the  sun's  rising  and  setting,  are  accurately  given. 
While  the  Ctalifat  of  Bagdad  was  still  flourishing  under  the  Abbasidcv. 
and  while  the  rule  of  the  Samanides,  so  favorable  to  poetry,  still  flour- 
ishet'  in  Persia,  America  was  discovered,  about  the  year  1000,  by  Leif,  sou 
of  Erik  the  Red,  at  about  41!/, "  N.  L." 

t  VId.  Nouvelles  annales  dee  voyages,  de  la  gt^ographic,  dc  I'histoirf 
pt  de  i'arch(?ologie,  rddigdcB  par  M.  V.-A.  Malte-Brun,  secrt'talre  de  la 
commission  centrale  de  la  80ci<5td  de  gtiographie  de  Paris,  member  Uc 
pluaieurs  societda  savantes.    AoQt,  185U,  p.  253. 


AMERICA   NOT    DISCOVERED    liY    COLUMBUS. 


67 


hagen,  and  a  carefully  printed  copy*  of  it  is  to  be 
found  in  Mimer's  library  at  the  University  of  Wis- 
cunsin.  Wo  gather  from  this  work  that  the  Norse- 
luun,  after  discoveiing  and  settling  Greenland,  and 
thou  keeping  a  bold  southwestern  course,  discovered 
America  more  than  500  vears  before  Columbus:  and 
I  shall  in  the  following  chapters  present  some  of 
tlio  main  circumstances  of  this  discovery. 

*  Flateyakbok,  Chrlstlania  (Norway),  1860-18G8. 


■i 
I 


-n 


■  i 


CIIAPTEK  X. 


BJARNE  HERJULFSON,  986. 

TN  the  year  98G,  the  same  year  that  he  returned 
from  Greenland,  the  above-named  Erik  thk 
Ked  moved  from  Iceland  to  Greenland,  and  among 
his  numerous  friends,  who  accompanied  him,  was 
an  Icelander  by  name  IIeriulf. 

Herjulf  had  a  son  by  name  Bjarne,  who  was  a 
man  of  enterprise  and  fond  of  going  abroad,  aiul 
who  possessed  a  merchant-ship,  with  which  he  gath- 
ered wealth  and  reputation.  He  used  to  be  by 
turns  a  year  abroad  and  a  year  at  home  with  his 
father.  He  chanced  to  be  away  in  Norway  when 
his  father  moved  over  to  Greenland,  and  on  return- 
ing to  Iceland  he  was  so  much  disappointed  on 
hearing  of  his  father's  departure  with  Erik,  that 
he  would  not  unload  his  ship,  but  resolved  to 
follow  his  old  custom  and  take  up  liis  abode  with 
his  father.  ''Who  will  go  with  me  to  Greenland T' 
said  he  to  his  men.  ''We  will  all  go  with  you," 
replied  the  men.     "  But  we   have   none  of  us   ever 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED   BV    COLL'MUUS. 


09 


im,   was 


hoeii  on  the  Greenland  Sea  before,"  said  Bjarne. 
"We  mind  not  that,"  said  the  men, —  so  away  they 
sailed  for  three  days  and  lost  sight  of  Iceland. 
Then  the  wind  failed.  After  that  a  north  wind 
and  fog  set  in,  and  they  knew  not  where  they  were 
s;iih*ni^  to.  This  lasted  many  days,  until  the  sun 
at  itiigth  appeared  again,  so  that  they  could  deter- 
mine  the  ({uarters  of  the  sky,  and  lo!  in  the  horizon 
tliey  saw,  like  a  blue  cloud,  the  outlines  of  an  un- 
known land.  Tliey  approached  it.  They  saw  that 
it  was  with'Mit  mountains,  was  covered  with  wood, 
and  that  there  were  small  hills  inland.  Bjarne 
saw  that  this  did  not  answer  to  the  description  of 
Greenland ;  he  knew  he  was  too  far  south ;  so  he 
left  the  land  on  the  larboard  side  and  sailed  north- 
ward two  days,  when  they  got  sight  of  land  a^ain. 
Tln^  men  asked  Bjarne  if  this  was  (xreeiiland;  but 
lie  said  it  w  -  not,  "  For  in  Greenland/'  he  said, 
"there  are  great  sn(»wy  mountains;  but  this  land 
is  Hat  and  covered  with  trees."  They  did  not  go 
ashore,  but  turning  the  bow  from  the  land,  they 
kept  the  sea  with  a  tine  breeze  trom  the  southwest 
for  three  days,  when  a  third  land  was  seen.  Still 
Hjarne  would  not  go  asiiDre.  for  it  was  not  like 
what  had  heen  reported  of  Greenland.  80  they 
sailed  on.  driven   by  a  violent   southwest  wind,  and 


-  n 

;  1 


i; 


3  f  4^ 
"I 

t 


70 


AMKltK'A    NOT    DISCIOVKliKI)    IIY    CUI.UMBITS. 


after  four  days  tlicy  readied  a  land  wliicli  suited  the; 
description  of  Greenland.  I'jarne  was  not  deceived, 
for  it  was  Greenland,  and  he  happened  to  land 
close  to  the  place  where  his  father  had  settled. 

It  cannot  be  determined  with  certainty  wliat 
parts  of  the  American  coast  Bjarne  saw;  but  from 
the  circumstances  of  the  voyage,  the  course  of  the 
winds,  the  direction  of  the  currents,  and  tlie  pre- 
sumed distance  between  each  sight  of  land,  there  is 
reason  to  l)elievc  that  the  first  land  that  Bjarne  saw 
in  the  year  986  was  the  present  Nantucket,  one 
degree  Si)uth  of  Boston ;  the  second  Nova  Scotia, 
and  the  third  Newfoundland.  Thus  Bjarne  IIer- 
jULFsoN  was  the  first  European  whose  eyes  beheld 
any  part  of  the  present  New  England.  The  first 
European  who  saw  the  American  continent,  and 
whose  7iame  is  recorded,  was  Are  M arson  (see  p.  18). 
He  went  to  (treat  Ireland  (the  Chesapeake  country), 
whicli  had  undoulttt'dly  been  discovered  by  the  Irisli 
even  long  beture  Are  visited  there  in  the  year  983. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


LEIF  KIUKSON.  1000. 


Ml 


\\  THEN  Bjarne  visited  Norway,  a  few  years 
^  '  later,  aiul  told  of  his  adventure,  he  was 
censured  in  strong  terms  by  Jarl  (Earl)  Erik  and 
others,  beeause  he  had  manifested  so  little  interest 
that  he  had  not  even  gone  ashore  and  explored 
iliese  lands,  and  because  he  could  give  no  more 
(letiiiite  account  of  them.  Still,  what  he  did  say 
was  sutHcient  to  arouse  in  the  mind  of  Leif  Ekik- 
soN,  son  of  Erik  the  Red,  a  determination  to  solve 
tlic  problem  and  find  out  what  kind  of  lands  these 
were  that  were  talked  so  much  about.  He  bought 
Ujarne's  ship  from  him,  set  sail  with  a  good  crew 
of  thirty-five  men,  and  found  the  lands  just  as 
njarne  had  described  them,  far  away  to  the  south- 
west of  Greenland.  They  landed  in  IIelluland 
(^Newfoundland)  and  in  Markland  (Nova  Scotia), 
explored  these  countries  somewhat,  gave  them  names, 
and  proceeded  from  the  latter  into  the  open  sea 
with  a  northeast  wind,  and  were  two  days  at  sea 


'I'. 


Ili 


i 

-ri  i 


72 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


before  they  saw  land  again.  They  sailed  into  a 
sound.  It  was  very  shallow  at  ebb-tide,  so  that 
their  ship  stood  dry  and  there  was  a  long  way  from 
their  ship  to  the  water.  But  so  much  did  they 
desire  to  land  that  they  did  not  give  themselves 
time  to  wait  until  the  water  rose  again  under  their 
ship,  but  ran  at  once  on  shore,  at  a  place  where  a 
river  flows  out  of  a  lake.*  But  as  soon  as  the 
water  rose  up  under  the  ship,  they  rowed  out  in 
their  boats,  floated  the  ship  up  the  river  and  thenoc 
into  the  lake,  where  they  cast  anchor,  brought  their 
skin  cots  out  of  the  ship,  and  raised  their  tents. 
After  this  they  took  counsel,  and  resolved  to  remain 
through  the  winter,  and  built  a  large  house.  There 
was  no  want  of  salmon,  cither  in  the  river  or  in  tlie 
lake,  and  larger  salmon  than  they  had  before  seen. 
The  nature  of  the  country  was,  as  they  thought,  t^o 
good  that  cattle  would  not  require  house-feeding  in 
winter.  Day  and  night  were  more  equal  than  in 
Greenland  or  Iceland,  for  on  the  shortest  dav  the  sun 
was  above  the  horizon  from  half-past  seven  in  the 
forenoon  till  half-past  four  in  the  afernoon ;  which 
circumstance  gives  for  the  latitude  of  the  place  41° 
24'  10";   hence    Leif's   booths   are    thought  to  have 

*  This  lake  is  Mount  Hope  Bay.    Tho  tonriBt,  in  traveling  that  way  by 
rail,  will  at  first  take  Mount  Hope  Bay  fur  a  lake.    B.  F.  DcCosta,  p.  32. 


AMERICA    NOT    DI8COVEKEI)    UY    COLIMIU'S. 


73 


been  situated  at  or  near  Fall  River,  Massachusetts. 
Luif  Eriksoii  called  the  country  Vinland,  and  the 
cause  of  this  was  the  following  interesting  incident: 
There  was  a  German  in  Leif  Erikson's  party  by 
name  Tykkek.  He  was  a  prisoner  of  war,  but  had 
hec'onie  Leif's  special  favorite.  lie  was  missing  one 
(lay  after  they  came  back  from  an  explo.'ing  expedi- 
tion. Leif  Erikson  became  very  anxious  about 
Tyrker,  and  fearing  that  he  might  be  killed  by  wild 
beasts  or  by  natives,*  he  went  out  with  a  few  men 
to  search  for  him.  Toward  evening  he  was  found 
corning  home,  but  in  a  very  excited  state  of  mind. 
The  cause  of  his  excitement  was  some  fruit  which 
he  had  found  and  which  lie  held  up  in  his  hands, 
shouting:  "  Weintrauben !  Weintrauben  i  I  Weintrau- 
l)en  ! ! ! "  The  sight  and  taste  of  this  fruit,  to  which 
lie  had  been  accustomed  in  his  own  native  land, 
had  excited  him  to  such  an  extent  that  he  seemed 
drunk,  and  for  some  time  he  would  do  nothing 
l)ut  laugh,  devour  grapes  and  talk  German,  which 
language  our  Norse  discoverers  did  not  understand. 
At  last  he  spoke  Norse,  and   explained   that   he,  to 

♦Our  NoFHC  rolonists  in  Vinlnml  had  frequent  Intcrconrse  with  Iho 
imtivfis,  wlioin  tlu-y  culled  "Sltru'llliiRer.'"  Thfs  name  in  derived  from  tho 
iiiljcctive  "«lirall,"  which  means  lean;  hence  eltrwlling  iw  an  uIIiiHlcm  to  flieir 
1'  im  and  fihrivelcd  aspect.  Compare  also  the  verb  "skrajla,"  which  means  to 
petl,  as  "  Hkra'l  et  ^blc,"  to  peel  an  apple. 


:1   , 


■   '1  is  ;•! 


f^' 


m 


Si 


■t 


rt 


I 


74 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCO V EKED    HY    COLUMBUS. 


liis  great  joy  and  surprise,  had  found  vines  and 
grapes  in  great  a])undancc.  From  this  circumstance 
the  lan'l  got  the  name  of  Vinland,  and  history  got 
the  interesting  tact  that  a  German  was  along  with 
tlie  daring  argonauts  of  the  Christian  era. 

Here  is  then  a  short  account  of  the  iirst  expedi- 
tion to  New  England.  It  took  place  in  the  year 
1000,  and  Leif  Erikson  was  the  first  pale-faced  man 
of  w'lom  it  is  recorded  that  he  undertook  a  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  with  the  definitely  avowed 
purpose  of  seeking  for  land.  His  was  no  discovery 
by  accident.  The  nature  of  Leif  Erikson's  expedi- 
tion, the  end  sought,  etc.,  was  as  clearly  defined  in 
his  own  mind,  and  as  well  understood  by  his  coun- 
trymen, as  in  the  case  of  the  expedition  undertaken 
by  Columbus  in  1492.  But  Leif  did  not  set  heaven 
and  earth  in  commotion  in  reference  to  the  matter 
of  going  across  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  He  simply 
bought  Bjarne's  ship,  engaged  thirty -five  fearless 
seamen  like  himself,  said  good-bye  to  his  aged 
father,  and  set  sail! 


CPIAPTER  XII. 


THORVALI)  ERIKSON,   1002. 

TN  the  spring,  when  the  winds  were  favorable, 
-*-  Lcif  Erikson  returned  to  Greenland.  The  ex- 
]iedition  to  Vinland  was  much  talked  of,  and  TnoR- 
wALi),  Le'f's  brother,  thought  that  the  land  had 
heen  much  too  little  explored.  Then  said  Leif  to 
Thorvald :  "  You  may  go  with  my  ship,  brother,  to 
Vinland,  if  you  like."  And  so  another  expedition 
was  fitted  out,  in  the  year  1002,  by  Thorwald  Erik- 
son,  who  went  to  Vinland  and  remained  there  three 
years;  but  it  cost  him  his  life,  for  in  a  battle  with 
the  Skrjellings  an  arrow  from  one  of  the  natives  of 
America  pierced  his  side,  causing  death.  lie  was 
buried  in  Vinland,  and  two  crosscb  were  erected  on 
his  grave, —  one  at  his  head  and  one  at  his  fr;et. 
Hallowed  ground,  this,  beneath  whose  sod  rests  the 
dust  of  the  first  Christian  and  the  first  European 
who  died  in  America!  His  death  and  burial  also 
gains  interest  in  another  respect,  for  in  the  year 
1831  there  was  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Fall  River, 
Massachusetts,  a  skeleton  in  annor^  and  many  of 
the  circumstances  connected  with  it  are  so  wonderful 


i 


: 


i  ■ 


II 


76 


AMKUU'A    N«»l     l»IH(<)\  KUKI»    li\     (OUMIIUH. 


tlmt  it   iniiijhl    ii\<U<iMl  whmii  almost  uh  1|iou;;;1i   it.  \v(n> 

tlio  hUcKMou  o\'  \\\'\h  wvy  'IMh»iv:iI»I    KrilxHon  !      This 

nkolotoii    ill    uniu>r   attracted    iiiiicli    atlciitiitii    at  tiic 

tiim\    was    tlio   sul)jtvl    ol'   much    h-anud    di.scussiofi, 

ami    our    cclol)ratC(l    |m»cI     LoiiljIcIIow   wrote,  in    liu- 

yoar   ISU,  a  jmkmii  ahout  it,  l)c^iniiiii^: 

"SpciiU!   sprak!   ihou  t'carl'ul   >^:ii('Ht!" 

Attor  whicli    ho    makes   tlic  ski»U'toii    tell     ilioiil    his 

advontmvs   as   a    vikiiii;,    ahoiit    the    ))iiie    forests   <»l" 

Norway,  ahiMJt    his  voyaij^e    across    the    stonnv  (K'e|>, 

ami    ahout     the    di.-covery   oi'    America,    concernin^^ 

which  lie  wivs: 

"Tlin'c  \v(vks  \v(»  wost'vani  lioiv, 
Ami  when  tho  storm  wa.-^  oCr, 
CU)iullik«'  wo  saw  tho  shore 

Stn'trliiiijf  to  Uvwiinl; 
TluMv,  for  my  lady's  l»owor, 
lUiilt  I  tlio  lofty  tower.* 
Whii'h  to  this  vciy  hour 

Stamls  looking-  seaward." 

The    fellowinix   arc    the    last   two    verses   of    the 

poem : 

"Still  grow  my  bosom,  then, 

Still  as  a  stagTiant  fon, 

Hatoful  to  mo  wore  men, 

The  sunlight  hateful  ! 

•The  tower  hero  rofoirod  to  It*  the  ramuua  Newport  tower  in  Rhorir 
Island,  which  midouhtidly  was  built  by  the  Norct'iuon;  at  least  wo  persist 
in  claiming  it.  until  it  can  be  clearly  hhown  that  i(  hae  been  built  since  the 
landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  in  Iti'-iU. 


AMKK'frA    NnT    DIHrnVKKKD    FIV    «'«»r,(;MHrH.  77 

III  IIh'  vii>»I   ImickI,  licir, 
CIikI  III  my  wiuliki'  ift'nr. 
Fell  I  ii|M>ti  my  Hpriir,— 

Oh,    «l«Mlill    WilH     ifVilU^i'i]] 

"TliiiH,  hciuihmI  wiMi  mmiy  HciirK, 

HlllHtill);    tllCHC    priHOII     hlUH, 

lip  to  Hh  iiaf.ivr  HiiirH 

My  Hoiil  !iH<Tn<l''«l. 
'I'licrc,   (Vom  tJif  llowifif^   liowl, 
|)t'(>p  ilriiikM  Mic  wiirrior'H  hoiiI: 
Skiiiil!   U)  ihi)  NorMiliiml,  Kkiuil! 

'riiiiK  tlir  iulo  rwU'Ar 

'Yhv,  ^rcjvt  Swcdinh  (;li(!inirit  I'cr/.c'liiiH  si\\n\y"/.v<\^ 
;i  |»;irt,  of  tlu;  hnj.'iHtpliito  vvhicli  vviis  IoimmI  on  Iha 
skeleton,  Jind  t'omnl  tliiit  in  cruiiiioKif ion  it,  corro- 
Hjxmdcd  witli  ini^tiilrt  UKod  in  the  North  during  t)io 
tiMitli  (;(!iiiury ;  and  ('otnjwirin^  tlio  l-'ull  Iliv(!r  l)r(;iiHt,- 
pl.'itc  with  ohi  North(3rn  iirrnorH,  it  wiiH  uIbo  lound 
to  conH'sjmnd  with  thcw;  in  stylo. 

V"  (1  the  Norsuincn  liad  liuricd  thcMr  chief,  Thor- 
waUi,  thciy  returned  to  LeifKl)udir  (licifn  lujothh), 
h»aded  tlieir  ships  witli  tlie  ])ro(hi(*ts  of  the  hind,  arirl 
returned  to  Greenland   in  the  year  1005. 

♦A  bronzn  article;   fniind   in   Donmnrk,  nnd   dalint;  with   ccTtainly  hark 

to  th(>  tMith  rcntiiry.  wan  aJBo  analy/od,  and  Ui<;  annoxcd   tut)lo  nhowH  the 

rcHuIt  of  the  (inalyBiB: 

Iirfi(i^fj)late  liromr  Article 

frfnn.  fr'/nt. 

America.  Denmark. 

r()l>pcr 70.29 07. 13 

Zinc 28.a3 iO-W 

Tin 0.91 9.24 

I  -Hi 074 3.39 

Iron 0.03 0.11 


S 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


THORSTEIN  ERIKSON,   1005. 


rpiIEN  the  Sagas  tell  us  that  Thor8tein,  the 
youngest  son  of  Erik  the  Red,  was  seized 
with  a  strong  desire  to  pass  over  to  Vinland  to 
fetch  the  hody  of  his  brother  Thorvald.  lie  was 
married  to  Gudrid,  a  woman  remarkable  for  her 
beauty,  her  dignity,  her  prudence,  and  her  good 
discourse.  Thorstein  fitted  out  a  vessel,  manned 
it  with  twenty-five  men  selected  for  their  strength 
and  stature,  besides  himself  and  Gudrid.  When 
all  was  ready  they  put  out  to  sea,  and  were  soon 
out  of  sight  of  land.  Through  the  whole  summer 
they  were  tossed  about  on  the  deep,  and  were 
driven  they  knew  not  whither.  Finally  they  made 
land,  which  they  found  to  be  Lysefjord,  on  the 
western  coast  of  Greenland.  Here  Thorstein  and 
several  of  his  men  died,  and  Gudrid  returned  to 
Eriksfjord. 


CTIAPTEK   XIV. 


THORFINN   KAHLSKFNK  AND  GUDIIII),   1007. 


^I^^IIE     moat    di8tin<5uiHlictl    cx])Iorer    of     V inland 


I 


was  TnoKFiNN  Kaklhkfne.  He  was  a  wealthy 
:iii(l  intiuential  man.  lie  was  descended  from  tlio 
most  fainons  families  in  the  North.  Several  of  his 
ancestors  had  been  elected  kin<ifs.  In  the  fall  of 
1()<M>  he  came  from  Norway  to  Eri.^sfjord  with 
two  ships.  Karlsefnc  made  rich  presents  to  Leif 
Krikson,  and  Leif  ottered  the  Norse  navigator  the 
hospitalities  of  IJrattahlid  during  winter.  After  the 
Viiic  festival  Thoi-finn  began  to  treat  with  Leif  as 
to  the  marriage  of  Gudrid,  Leif  being  the  person 
t«)  wiioin  tiie  right  of  betrothment  belonged.  Leif 
gave  a  favorable  ear  to  liis  advances,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  winter  their  nuptials  were  celebrated 
with  due  ceremony.  The  conversation  frequently 
turned  at  lirattahlid  Ujmn  Vinland  the  Good,  many 
saying  that  an  expedition  thither  held  out  fair 
jtrospects  of  gain.  The  result  was  that  Thorfinn, 
accompanied  by  his  wife,  who  urged  liim  to  the 
undertaking,    sailed    to    Vinland    in    the   spring  of 


.ill 


H. 

r. 


MBi 


80 


AMKKIC'A    NOT    lUSCUVKKEI)    V.Y    COLUMUUS. 


i 


1007,  and  remained  there  three  years.  The  Sagas 
lay  considerable  stress  upon  the  fact  that  Ciudrid 
persuaded  him  to  undertake  this  expedition.  She 
also  appears  to  luive  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
the  whole  enterprise.  Imagine  yourself  way  otf  in 
Greenland.  Imagine  Gudrid  and  Thorfinn  Karl- 
sefne  taking  a  walk  together  on  the  sea-beach,  and 
Gudrid  talking  to  her  husband  in  this  wise: 

"1  wonder  that  you,  Thortinn,  with  good  ships 
and  many  stout  men,  and  plenty  of  means,  should 
choose  to  rtiuiiiii  in  this  barren  spot  instead  of 
searching  out  the  fanicns  Viuland  and  making  a 
settlement  there.  Just  think  wliat  a  splendid  coun- 
try it  nmst  be,  and  what  a  desirable  change  for  all 
of  us.  Thick  and  leafy  woods  like  those  of  old 
Norway,  instead  of  these  rugged  clitfs  and  snow-clad 
hills.  Fields  of  waving  grass  and  rye  instead  of 
moss-covered  rocks  and  sandy  soil.  Trees  large 
enough  to  build  houses  and  ships  instead  of  willow 
bushes,  that  are  fit  for  nothing  except  to  save  our 
cattle  from  starvation  when  the  hay-crop  runs  out ; 
besides  longer  sunshine  in  winter,  and  more  genial 
warihth  all  the  year  round,  instead  of  howling  winds 
and  ice  and  snow.  Truly  I  think  this  country  was 
wofully  misnamed   when   they  called  it  Greenland.'- 

You   can    easi.'y  imagine   that  Thorlinn  was  cop- 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVKKED    liY    COLUMBUS. 


81 


viiu'od  l)y  such  persuasive  arguinents,  and  he  resolved 
to  follow  his  wife's  advice. 

The  expedition  which  now  set  out  for  Vinland 
was  on  a  much  larger  scale  than  any  of  the  expedi- 
tions that  had  ])receded  it.  That  Leif  and  Thorvald 
and  Thorstein  had  not  intended  to  make  their  per- 
manent al)odo  in  Vinland  was  plain,  from  the  fact 
that  they  brought  neither  women  nor  liocks  nor 
herds  with  them.  Karlsefne,  on  the  other  hand, 
went  forth  fully  equi])pe(l  for  colonization.  The 
narty  consisted  of  one  hnndnd  ami  Jiftif-one  men 
and  seven  women.  A  number  of  cattle  and  sheep 
were  also  carried  on  this  occasion  to  Vinland.  They 
all  arrived  there  in  safety,  and  remained,  as  has 
been  stated,  three  years,  wl\en  hostilities  between 
them  and  the  Skraillings  compelled  them  to  give 
U]»  their  colony. 

The  Saga  gives  a  very  full  accomit  of  Thorfinn's 
enterprises  in  Vinland ;  about  the  traffic  with  the 
Skru'llings;  about  the  development  of  the  colony, 
etc.;  all  of  which  I  am  compelled  to  omit  in  this 
sketch.  I  must  call  attention,  however,  to  the 
interesting  fact  that  a  son  was  born  to  Thoriinn 
and  Gudrid  the  year  after  they  had  established 
themselves  in  their  quarters  at  Straumtjord  (Huz- 
zard's    Uav).      His  name  was  Snokre  Tmoukinnson. 


U 


82 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


He  was  born  in  the  present  State  of  Massachusetts, 
in  the  year  1008,  and  lie  was  the  lirst  man  of 
European  blood  of  whose  birth  in  America  we  have 
any  record.  From  liim  the  famous  sculptor,  Albert 
Thorwaldsen,  is  lineally  descended,  besides  a  long 
train  of  learned  and  distinguished  men  who  have 
nourished  during  the  last  eight  centuries  in  Iceland 
and  Denmark. 

In  the  next  place,  attention  is  invited  to  an 
inscription  on  a  rock,  situated  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  Taunton  river,  in  Bristol  county,  Massachusetts. 
It  is  familiarly  called  the  Dighton  Writing  Rock 
Inscription.  It  stands  in  the  very  region  which 
the  Norsemen  frequented.  It  is  written  in  char- 
acters which  the  natives  have  never  used  nor  sculi> 
tured.  This  inscription  was  copied  by  Dr.  Danforth 
as  early  as  1680,  by  Cotton  Mather  in  1712;  it 
was  copied  by  Dr.  Greenwood  in  1730,  by  Stephen 
Sewell  in  1768,  by  James  Winthrop  in  1788,  and 
has  beer  copied  at  least  four  times  in  the  present 
century.  The  rock  was  seen  and  talked  of  by  the 
first  settlers  in  New  England,  long  before  anything 
was  said  about  the  Norsemen  discovering  America 
before  Cohunlms. 


AMERICA   NOT   DISOOVERKD    IJY    COLL'MBUf?. 


83 


Near  the  center  of  the  in8crii)tioii  we  read  dis- 
tinctly, in  Roman  cliaracters. 

CXXXI, 
which  is  151,*  the  exact  nnnil)er  of  Thortinn's  party. 
Then  we  iind  an  N,  a  boat,  and  the  Runic  cliaracter 
tor  M,  which  may  be  interpreted  "  N(orse)  seafaring 
M(en)."  Besides  we  have  the  word  NAM  —  took 
(took  possession),  and  the  wliole  of  Tiiorfinn's  name, 
with  the  exception  of  the  first  letter.  Repeating 
tlicse  characters  we  have 

ORFIN,  CXXXI,  N   ^^^^^  M  NAM, 

which  has  been  interpreted  by  Prof.  Rafn  as  fol- 
lows: "Thorfinn,  with  one  hnndred  and  tifty-one 
Xorse  seafaring  men  took  possession  of  this  land 
(landnam)." 

in  the  lower  left  corner  of  the  inscription  is  a 
liiriire  of  a  woman  and  a  child,  near  the  latter  of 
wjiich  is  the  letter  S,  reminding  us  most  forcibly 
of  Gndrid  and  her  son,  Snorre.  Upon  the  whole, 
the  Dighton  Writing  Rock,  if  Prof.  Rafn's  ])late8 
and  interpretations  can  be  relied  npon,  removes  all 
•  loubt  concerning  the  presence  of  Thorfinn  Karlsefne 
and  tlie  Norsemen  at  Taunton  River,  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  eleventh  century.f 

♦  The  Icclaiulcrs  rockonod  twelve   decades  to  the  hundred   and  called 
it  stort  hundrad  (great  hundred). 
t  See  page  82. 


i, 

1 1 


t  -  il 


CIIAPTEK  XV. 


OTHER  EXPEDITIONS  BY  THE  NORSEMEN. 

rriHE  Sagas  give  elaborate  accounts  of  other 
expeditions  by  the  Norsemen  to  Vinland. 
Thus  there  is  one  by  Freydis  in  the  year  1011 ; 
and  in  the  year  1121  the  Bishop  Erik  Upsi  went 
as  a  missionary  to  Vinland. 

Then  there  are  Sagas  that  give  accounts  of  ex]ie- 
ditions  by  Norsemen  to  Gkeat  Irland  (North  and 
South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida),  but  I  will 
omit  these  in  the  present  sketch.* 

The  last  oxped*  *  n  mentioned  was  in  the  year 
1347,  but  this  was  in  the  time  of  the  Black  Plague, 
which  raged  throughout  Europe  with  unrelenting  fury 
from  1347  to  1351,  and  also  reached  Iceland,  Green- 
land and  Vinland,  and  cut  off  communication  between 
these  countries.  The  Black  Plague  reduced  the  popu- 
lation of  Norway  ah)ne  from  two  millions  to  three 
hundred  thousand,  and  this  ftict  gives  us  some  idea  of 
the  terrible  ravages  of  this  fearful  epidemic.  It  is 
evident  that  the  Black  Plague  left  no  surplus  popula- 
tion for  expeditions  to  America  or  elsewhere. 

*  See  page  1?. 


CHAPTER    XVr. 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA  BY  COLUMBUS. 


,i  ,| 


T  WILL  now  devote  a  few  pages  to  poincing  out 
-^  some  of  the  tlireads  that  connect  this  discovery 
of  America  by  the  Norsemen  witli  tlie  more  recent 
uiul  better-Imown  discovery  by  Columbus. 

1.  From  a  letter  which  Columbus  liimself  wrote, 
and  which  we  find  (juoted  in  Washington  Irving's 
('olu7nhu.s,"  we  know  positively  that  while  the  de- 
sign of  attempting  the  disco\ery  in  the  west  was 
maturing  in  the  mind  of  Columbus,  he  made  a 
voyage  to  the  north  of  Europe,  and  visited  Iceland. 
This  was  in  February,  1477,  and  in  his  conversation 
with  the  Bishop  and  other  learned  men  of  Iceland, 
lie  uuist  have  been  informed  of  the  extraordinary 
fact,  that  their  countrymen  h.id  discovered  a  great 
country  beyond  the  western  ocean,  which  seemed 
to  extend  southward  to  a  great  distance.  This  was 
a  circumstance  not  likely  to  rest  (piietly  in  the 
active  and  speculative  mind  of  the  great  geographer 

♦  V-xl.  1,  p,  59. 


:i 


.(S 


If 

f  "SI 


86 


AMERICA   NOT    DISOOVEKED    BV    COLUMBUS. 


and  navigator.  The  reader  will  observe  that,  wlien 
Columbus  was  in  Iceland,  in  the  year  1477,  titteen 
years  before  he  discovered  America,  only  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  years  had  elapsed  since  the  last 
Norse  expedition  to  Vinland.  There  were  undoubt- 
edly people  still  living  whose  grandfathers  had 
crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  it  would  be  altogether 
unreasonable  to  suppose  that  he,  who  was  constantly 
studying  and  talking  about  geography  and  navigation, 
possibly  could  visit  Iceland  and  not  hear  anything  of 
the  land  in  the  west. 

2.  (ludrid,  the  v/ife  of  Thortinn  and  mother  of 
Snorre,  made  a  pilgrimage  to  Rome  after  the  death 
of  her  husband.  It  is  related  that  she  was  well 
received,  and  she  certainly  must  have  talked  there 
of  her  ever  memorable  trans-oceanic  voyage  to  Vin- 
land, and  her  three  years'  residence  there.  Rome 
paid  much  attention  to  geographical  discoveries,  and 
took  pains  to  collect  all  new  charts  and  reports 
that  were  brought  tlu^ro.  Every  new  discovery  was 
an  aggrandizement  of  the  papal  dominion,  a  new 
Held  for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  The  Romans 
might  have  heard  of  Vinland  before,  but  she  brought 
l)ersonal  evidence. 

3.  That  Vinland  was  known  at  the  Vatican  is 
clearly   proved    by  the   fact   that   Pope   Paschal    II, 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED    BY    COLUMBUS. 


87 


in  the  year  1112,  appointed  Erik  Upsi,  Bishop  of 
Iceland,  Greenland  and  Vinland,  and  Erik  Ui>si 
went  personally  to  Vinland  in  the  year  1121. 

4.  Recent  developments  in  relation  to  Columbus 
tend  to  prove  that  he  had  opportunity  to  see  a 
map  of  Vinland,  procured  from  the  Vatican  for  the 
Pinzons,  and  it  would  indeed  astonish  us  more  to 
learn  that  he,  with  his  nautical  knowledge,  did  not 
hear  of  America  than  that  he  did.  We  must  also 
hear  in  mind  that  Columbus  lived  in  an  age  of 
discovery ;  England,  France,  Portugal  and  Spain 
were  vying  with  each  other  in  discovering  new 
lands  and  extending  their  territories. 

5.  But  in  addition  to  the  Sacjas,  the  Dighton 
Writing  Rock,  the  Newport  Tower  (which  the 
Indians  told  the  early  New  England  settlers  was 
built  by  the  giants,  and  the  Norse  discoverers  cer- 
tainly looked  like  giants  to  the  natives,  since  the 
former  called  the  latter  Skroellings);  and  in  addition 
to  the  skeleton  in  armor,  we  have  a  remarkable 
record  of  the  early  discovery  of  America  by  the 
Norsemen  in  the  writings  of  Adam  of  Bremen,  a 
canon  and  historian  of  high  authority,  who  died  in 
the  year  1070.  He  visited  the  Danish  king  Svend 
Estridson,  a  nephew  of  Canute  the  Great,  and  on 
his  return  home  he  wrote  a  book   "  On  the  Propa- 


H 


t 


t 


88 


AMERICA   NOT   DI8C0VEKED   BY   COLUMBUS. 


gation  of  the  Christian  Religion  m  the  North  of 
Europe^''  and  at  the  end  of  this  book  he  added  a 
geographical  treatise  "  On  the  Position  of  Denr)iark 
and  other  regions  beyond  Denmark^^  Having  given 
an  account  ot*  Denmark,  Sweden,  Norway,  Iceland 
and  Greenland,  he  says  that,  "  besides  these  there  is 
still  another  region^  which  has  been  visited  by  many^ 
lying  in  that  Ocean  {the  Atlantic),  lohich  is  called 
ViNLANi),  beca\ise  vines  grow  there  spontaneously, 
producing  very  good  wine  y  corn  likewise  S2)ri7igs 
tip  there  without  being  sown ;"  a»id  as  Adam  of 
Bremen  closes  his  account  of  Vinland  he  adds  these 
remarkable  words :  "  This  we  know  7iot  by  fabu- 
lous conjecture,  but  from  positive  statements  of  the 
DanesP 

Now,  Adam  of  Bremen's  work  was  first  pub- 
lished in  the  year  1073,  and  was  read  by  intelligent 
men  throughout  Europe,  and  Columbus  being  an 
educated  man,  Jind  so  deeply  interested  in  geograpli 
ical  studies,  especially  when  they  treated  of  the 
Atlantic  Ocean,  could  he  be  ignorant  of  so  important 
a  work? 

I  have  here  given  five  reasons  why  Columbus 
must  have  known  the  existence  of  the  American 
continent  before  he  started  on  his  voyage  of  discov- 
ery.    1.   Gudrid's  visit   to   Rome.     2.   The  appoint- 


1 


AMERICA    NOT    1)IS(H)VEKED    BY    COLIMIJI'S. 


89 


Tiient,  l)y  Pope  Pascal  II,  ot'  Erik  Upsi  as  liishop  of 
Vinlaii'l.  3.  Adam  of  PrcMiicii's  account  of  Vinlaiid, 
ill  his  book  published  in  1073.  4.  The  map  pro 
cured  from  the  Vatican  for  the  IMnzons,  wliicli  fact 
I  have  not,  however,  yet  been  able  to  estal)lish  with 
absolute  certainty;  and,  5,  which  caps  the  climax, 
Columbus'  own  visit  to  Iceland  in  the  year  1477. 

These  are  stubborn  facts,  and,  if  you  read  the 
biography  of  Columbus,  you  will  iind  that  he  always 
maintained  a  firm  conviction  that  there  was  land  in 
the  west.  He  says  himself  that  he  based  this  con- 
viction on  the  authority  of  the  learned  writers.  He 
stated,  before  he  left  Spain,  that  he  expected  to  find 
land  soon  after  sailing  about  seven  hundred  leagues; 
hence  he  knew  the  breadth  of  the  ocean,  and  must, 
tlicrefore,  have  had  a  pretty  definite  knowledge  of 
tlic  situation  of  Vinland  and  Gr^at  Ireland.  A  day 
or  two  before  coming  in  sight  of  the  new  world,  he 
capitulated  with  his  mutinous  crew,  promising,  if  he 
(lid  not  discover  land  within  three  days,  to  abandon 
the  voyage.  In  fact,  the  whole  history  of  his  dis- 
covery proves  that  he  eitlier  must  have  possessed 
l)revious  knowledge  of  America,  or,  as  some  have 
had  the  audacity  to  maintain,  been  inspired.  We 
do  not  believe  in  that  sort  of  inspiration.  It  makes 
Columbus  a  greater  man,  in  our  estimation,  that  he 


ti 


.i'f'i 


! 


,  ■  1 


90 


AMERICA    NOT    DfSC^OVEREI)    liY    COLDMIllTR. 


formed  liis  opinion  by  a  chain  of  lo<i;ical  deductions 
l)a6ed  upon  thorougli  study  and  researcli.  It  is  to 
the  credit  of  Colurnbus,  we  say,  that  lie  investigated 
the  nature  of  things;  tliat  he  diligently  searched  the 
learned  writers;  that  ho  paid  close  attention  to  all 
reports  of  navigators,  and  gathered  up  all  those  scat- 
tered gleams  of  knowledge  that  fell  ineffectually  upon 
ordinary  minds.  Washington  Irving  says:  "When 
Columbus  had  formed  his  theory  it  became  fixed  iji 
his  mind  with  singular  lirmness.  lie  never  spoke 
in  doubt  or  hesitation,  but  with  as  much  certainty  as 
if  his  eyes  had  already  beheld  the  ])romised  land." 
We  say,  if  he  held  this  firm  conviction  on  only 
presumptive  evidence,  then,  with  all  due  respect  for 
his  distinguished  biographer,  he  is  not  entitled  to 
the  enviable  reputation  for  scholarship  and  good 
judgment  that  has  been  accredited  to  him  by  Wash- 
ington Irving.  We  claim  to  be  vindicating  the  great 
name  of  Columbus,  by  showing  that  he  must  have 
based  his  certainty  upon  equally  certain  facts,  which 
he  possessed  the  ability  and  patience  to  study  out, 
and  the  keenness  of  intellect  to  put  together,  and 
this  gives  historical  importance  to  the  discovery 
of  America  by  the  Norsemen.  The  fault  that  we 
find  with  Columbus  is,  that  he  was  not  honest  and 
frank  enough  to  tell  where  and  how  he  had  obtained 


AMERICA    Ni>T    I)I800VEEED    IJY    « OLLMHL'S. 


01 


Ijis  previous  information  about  the  lands  wliich  he 
protended  to  discover;  that  he  sometimes  talked  of 
hiint^elf  as  chosen  by  Heaven  to  make  this  discovery, 
an<l  that  he  made  tlic  fruits  of  his  labors  bUuscrvient 
to  the  dominion  of  inipiisitioii 

If  our  theory,  then,  does  not  make  Cohunbus  out 
as  true  and  pjood  a  man  m  the  reader  may  have  con- 
sidered him,  we  still  insist  that  it  proves  him  .i  man 
of  extraordiiuiry  ability.  It  shows  that  he  discovered 
America  by  study  and  research,  and  not  by  accident 
or  inspiration.  Care  should  always  be  taken  to  vin- 
dicate <<reat  names  from  accident  or  inspiration.  It 
defeat  -  one  ot  the  most  salutary  purposes  of  history 
and  biography,  which  is  to  furnish  examples  of  what 
human  genius  and  laudable  enterprise  can  accomplish.* 

That  the  Spanish  and  more  recent  colonies  in 
America  could  become  more  permanent  than  the 
Norse  colonies,  is  chiefly  to  be  attributed  to  the 
su])criority  that  flre-arms  gave  the  Europeans  over 
the  natives.  The  Norsemen  had  no  flre-arms,  and 
their  higher  culture  could  not  defend  them  against 
the  swarms  of  savages  that  attacked  them.  In  the 
next  place,  the  Black  Plague  reduced  the  popula- 
tion of  Norway  and  Iceland  beyond  the  necessity  or 
even  possibility  to  emigrate.     If  the  communication 

♦  Washiugton  Irving. 


.i! 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTEK.N.Y.  14SS0 

(716)872-4503 


92 


AMERICA   NOT    DISCOVFREI)    IJY    COLUMBUS. 


between  Vinland  and  the  North  could  have  been 
maintained  say  one  hundred  years  longer,  that  is,  to 
the  middle  of  the  fifteenth  centurv,  it  is  difficult  to 
determine  what  the  result  would  nave  been.  Possi- 
bly this  sketch  would  have  appeared  in  Icelandic 
instead  of  English.  Undoubtedly  the  Norse  colonies 
would  have  become  firmly  rooted  by  that  time,  and 
Norse  language,  nationality  and  institutions  might 
have  played  as  conspicuous  a  part  in  America  as  the 
English  and  their  posterity  do  now-a-days. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


CONCLUSION. 


"OUT  it  is  not  within  the  scope  of  this  sketch 
-'-^  to  discuss  this  subject  any  farther.  Let  us 
remember  Leif  Erikson,  the  first  white  man  who 
turned  the  bow  of  his  ship  to  the  west  for  the  pur- 
pose of  finding  America.  Let  us  remember  his 
brother,  Tiiorvald  Erikson,  tlie  first  European  and 
the  first  Christian  who  was  buried  beneath  Ameri- 
can sod!  Let  us  not  forget  Thorfinn  and  Gld- 
KiD,  who  established  the  first  European  colony  in 
New  England !  nor  their  little  son,  Snorre,  the  first 
man  of  European  blood  whose  birthplace  was  in 
the  New  World!  Let  us  erect  a  monument  to  Leif 
Erikso'i  worthy  of  the  man  and  the  cause ;  and 
while  the  knowledge  of  this  discov  ry  of  America 
lay  for  a  long  time  hid  in  the  unstudied  literature 
of  Iceland,  let  us  take  this  lesson,  that  "  truth 
crushed  to  earth  will  rise  afjaln; "  that  truth  may 
often  lie  darkened  and  hid  for  a  long  time,  but 
that  it  is  like  the  beam  of  light  from  a  star  in 
some     far     distant    region    of    the    universe  —  after 


:     f 


If 


I     i 


94 


AMERICA    NOT    DISCOVERED   BY    COLUMIiL'6 


thousands  of  years  it  reaches  some  heavenly  body 
and  gives  it  light. 

In  the  language  of  Mr.  Davis:  "Let  us  praise 
Leif  Erikson  for  his  courage,  let  us  applaud  him 
for  his  zeal,  let  us  respect  him  for  his  motives,  for 
he  was  anxious  to  enlarge  the  boundaries  cf  knowl- 
edge.    He  reached  the  wished-for  land, 

"  '  Where  now  the  western  sun, 
O'er  fields  and  floods, 
O'er  every  living  soul 
Diffuseth  glad  repose.' 

He  opened  to  the  view  a  broad  region,  where  smil- 
ing hope  invites  successive  generations  from  the 
old  world. 

"  Such  men  as  an  Alexander,  or  a  Tamerlane, 
conquer  but  to  devastate  countries.  Discoverers  add 
new  regions  of  fertility  and  beauty  to  those  already 
known. 

"And  are  not  the  hardy  adventurers,  plowing 
the  briny  deep,  more  attractive  than  the  troops  of 
Alexander,  or  Napoleon,  marching  to  conquer  the 
world,  with  plumes  waving  in  the  gentle  breeze, 
and  with  arms  glittering  in  the  sunbeams?  Who 
can  tell  all  the  benefits  that  discoverers  confer  on 
mankind  ? 

"T-  count  them  all  demands  a  thousand  tongues, 
A  throat  of  brass  and  adamantine  lungs.' " 


WHAT  SCHOLAKS  SAY 


ABOUT  THE 


Historical,  Linguistic  and  Literary  Value 


OP  TDE 


SCANDINAVIAN  LANGUAGES. 


"  Der  Ur  flagga  pa  mast  och  den  visar  i°t  norr,  och 
i  norr  ilr  den  illskade  jord  ; 
jag  vill  fOlja  de  himmeUka  viudarnas  giing,  jag  vill 
Btyra  tillbaka  mot  Nord." 


—  Tegner. 


ENGLISH  VERSION. 


"  There's  the  flag  on  the  mast,  and  It  points  to  the  North, 
And  the  North  holds  the  land  that  T  love, 
I  will  steer  back  to  northward,  the  heavenly  course 
Of  the  winds  guiding  sure  from  above." 

YERY  little  attention  has  hitherto  been  given  in 
this  country  to  the  study  of  Scandinavian  history, 
languages  and  literatures.  We  think  this  branch  of 
study  would  not  be  so  much  neglected,  if  it  were  more 
generally  known  what  an  extensive  source  of  intel- 
lectual pleasure  it  affords  to  the  scholar  who  is  ac- 
(juainted  with  it.  Wo  hope,  therefore,  to  serve  a  good 
cause  by  calling  your  attention  to  a  few  quotations  from 
American,  English,  German,  and  French  scholars,  who 
have  given  much  time  and  attention  to  the  above  named 
subject,  in  order  that  it  may  be  known  what  they,  who 


1)0 


THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 


may  justly  be  considered  competent  to  judge,  say  of  their 
importance. 

I  will  add  that  I  have  not  found  a  scholar,  who  has 
devoted  himself  to  this  field  of  study  and  research,  that 
has  not  at  the  same  time  become  an  enthufiiadic  admirer 
of  Scandinavian  and  particularly  Icelandic  history,  lan- 
guages and  literatures. 

To  scientific  students  it  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  a 
knowledge  of  the  Scandinavian  languages  at  once  intro- 
duces them  to  several  writers  of  great  eminence  in  the 
scientific  world.     I  will  briefly  mention  a  few. 

Hans  Christian  Oersted  won  for  himself  one  of 
the  greatest  names  of  the  age.  His  discovery,  in  1820,  of 
electro-magnetism  —  the  identity  of  electricity  and  mag- 
netism—  which  he  not  onlv  discovered,  but  demon- 
strated  incontestably,  placed  him  at  once  in  the  highest 
rank  of  physical  philosophers,  and  has  led  to  all  the 
wonders  of  the  electric  telegraph.  His  great  work, "  The 
Soul  of  Nature,"  in  which  he  promulgates  his  grand 
doctrine  of  the  universe,  abundantly  repays  a  careful 
}  erusal. 

Carl  von  Linne  (Linnaeus)  is  the  polar  star  in 
botany.  He  was  professor  at  the  University  of  Sweden, 
died  in  1788,  and  is  the  founder  of  the  established  system 
of  botany.  As  Linnreus  is  the  father  of  botany,  so  Ber- 
ZELius  might  be  called  the  father  of  the  present  system 
of  chemistry.  He  is  one  of  the  greatest  ornaments  of 
science.  He  devoted  his  whole  life  sedulously  to  the 
promotion  and  extension  of  his  favorite  science,  and  to 
him  is  the  world  indebted  for  the  discovery  of  many 
new  elementary  principles  and  valuable  chemical  com- 


TIIK    SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGI>\ 


97 


I )i nations  now  in  general  use.  He  filled  tiie  chair  of 
onemistry  in  the  University  of  Stockholm  for  forty-two 
years,  and  died  in  1848.  Sciieelk,  Michael  Saks, 
IIansteen,  and  several  others,  are  men  who  have  dis- 
tinguislied  themselves  by  their  labors  in  the  held  of 
science,  natural  history  and  astronomy.  And  now  read 
the  following  quotations,  which  we  have  promised  to 
present. 

Mr.  North  Ludlow  Beamish  says:  "The  national 
literature  of  Iceland  holds  a  distinct  and  eminent  ])osition 
in  the  literature  of  Euroi)e.  In  that  remote  and  cheer- 
less isle  *  *  *  religion  and  learning  took  up  their 
tranquil  abode,  before  the  south  of  Europe  had  yet 
emerged  from  the  mental  darkness  which  followed  the 
fall  of  the  Roman  Empire.  There  the  unerring  memo- 
ries of  the  Skalds  and  Sagamen  were  the  depositories  of 
past  events,  which,  handed  down  from  age  to  age,  in  one 
unbroken  line  of  historical  tradition,  were  committed  to 
writing  on  the  introduction  of  Christianity,  and  now 
come  before  us  with  an  internal  evidence  of  their  truth, 
which  places  them  amonf/st  the  highest  order  of  historical 
records. 

"  To  investigate  the  origin  of  this  remarkable  ad- 
vancement in  mental  culture,  and  trace  the  progressive 
steps  by  which  Icelandic  literature  attained  an  eminence 
which  even  now  imparts  a  lustre  to  that  barren  land,  is 
an  object  of  interest  in  [/  and  instructive  inquiry. 

"Among  no  other  people  of  Europe  can  the  concep- 
tion and  birth  of  historical  literature  be  more  clearly 
traced  than  amongst  the  people  of  Iceland.  Here  it  can 
be  shown  how  memory  took  root,  and  gave  birth  to 


98 


TIIK    SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 


imrnitive;  liow  narrative  multiplied  and  increased  until 
it  was  committed  to  writing,  and  how  the  written  rela- 
tion eventually  became  sifted  and  arranged  in  chrono- 
logical order." 

Samuel  Laing,  Esq. — "All  that  men  hope  for  of 
good  government  au'i  future  improvement  in  their 
physical  and  moral  condition, —  all  that  -  vilized  men 
enjoy  at  this  day  of  civil,  religious  and  political  liberty 
—  the  Britisli  constitution,  representative  legislature, 
the  trial  by  jury,  security  of  property,  freedom  of  mind 
and  person,  the  influence  of  public  opinion  over  the  con- 
duct of  public  affairs,  the  Reformation,  the  liberty  of  the 
press,  the  spirit  of  the  age. —  all  that  is  or  has  been  of 
value  to  man  in  modern  times  as  a  member  of  society, 
either  in  Europe  or  in  America,  may  be  traced  to  the 
spark  left  burning  upon  our  shores  by  the  Norwegian 
barbariars. 

"There  seem  no  good  grounds  for  the  favorite  and 
hackneyed  course  of  all  who  have  written  on  the  origin 
of  the  British  constitution  and  trial  by  jury,  who  un- 
riddle a  few  dark  phrases  of  Tacitus  concerning  the 
institutions  of  the  ancient  Germanic  tribes,  and  trace  up 
to  that  obscure  source  the  origin  of  all  political  institu- 
tions connected  with  freedom  in  modern  Europe.  In 
the  (Norwegian)  Sagas  we  find,  at  a  period  immediately 
preceding  the  first  traces  of  free  institutions  in  our 
history,  the  rude  but  very  vigorous  demonstrations  of 
similar  institutions  existing  in  great  activity  among 
those  northern  people,  who  were  masters  of  the  country 
under  Canute  the  Great,  who  for  two  generations  before 
his  time  had  occupied  and  inhabited  a  very  large  portion 


THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAUKtJ. 


09 


of  it,  and  of  whom  a  brancli  uiulor  William  of  Normjimly 
became  its  ultimate  and  permanont  con<iuerors.  It  may 
be  more  classical  to  search  in  the  pages  of  Tacitus  for 
allusions  to  the  customs  of  the  tribes  wandering  in  his 
day  through  the  forests  of  Germany,  which  may  bear 
some  faint  resemblance  to  modern  institutions,  or  to 
what  we  fancy  our  modern  institutions  may  have  been 
in  their  infancy;  but  it  seems  more  consistent  wi'h 
correct  principles  of  historic  research  to  look  for  the 
origin  of  our  institutions  at  the  nearest,  not  at  the  most 
r "note,  source ;  not  at  what  existed  1,000  years  before 
in  the  woods  of  Germany,  among  people  whom  we  must 
believe  upon  supposition  to  have  been  the  ancestors  of 
the  invaders  from  the  north  of  the  Elbe,  who  conquered 
England,  and  must  again  believe  upon  supposition,  that 
when  this  people  were  conquered  successively  by  the 
Danes  and  Normans,  they  imposed  their  own  peculiar 
institutions  upon  their  conquerors,  instead  of  receiving 
institutions  from  them  ;  but  at  what  actually  existed, 
when  the  first  notice  of  assemblies  for  legislative  pur- 
poses can  be  traced  in  English  history  among  the  con- 
querors of  the  country,  a  cognate  people,  long  established 
by  previous  conqnests  in  a  large  portion  of  it,  *vho  used, 
if  not  the  same,  at  least  a  language  common  to  both, 
and  who  had  no  occasion  to  borrow,  from  the  conquered, 
institutions  which  were  flourishing  at  the  time  in  their 
mother  country  in  much  greater  vigor.  It  is  in  these 
(Norwegian)  Sagas,  not  in  Tacitus,  that  we  have  to  look 
for  the  origin  of  the  political  institutions  of  England. 
The  reference  of  all  matters  to  the  legislative  assemblies 
of  the  people  is  one  of  the  most  striking  facts  in  the 
Sagas. 


iff 


100 


THE    SCANDINAVIAN    LANOUAOKS. 


"  The  Sagas,  ultliough  composed  by  natives  of  Ice- 
land, are  properly  Xorwetjian  literature.  The  events, 
persons,  manners,  language,  belong  to  Nonoaij;  and  they 
are  productions  vvhicli,  like  the  works  of  Homer,  of 
Shakespeare,  and  of  Scott,  are  strongly  stamped  with 
nationality  of  character  and  incident. 

"A  portion  of  that  attention,  which  has  exhausted 

classic  mythology,  and  which  has  too  long  dwelt  in  the 

Pantheons  of  Greece  and  Rome,  and  is  wearied  with 

fruitless  eflforts  to  learn  something  more,  where,  perhaps, 

nothing  more  is  to  be  learned,  may  very  profitably,  and 

very  successfully,  be  directed  to  the  vast  field  of  Gothic 

research.     For  we  are  Goths  and  the  descendants  of 

Goths  — 

•"The  men, 

Of  earth's  best  blood,  of  titles  manifold.' 

And  it  well  becomes  us  to  ask,  what  has  Zeus  to  do  with 
the  Brocken,  Apollo  with  Effersburg,  or  Poseidon  with 
the  Northern  Sea  ?  The  gods  of  our  fathers  were  neither 
Jupiter,  nor  Saturn,  nor  Mercury,  but  Odin,  Brage,  or 
Eger.  If  we  marvel  at  the  pictures  of  heathen  divinities 
as  painted  by  classical  hands,  let  us  not  forget  that  our 
ancestors  had  deities  of  their  own  —  gods  as  mighty  in 
their  attributes,  as  refined  in  their  tastes,  as  heroic  in 
their  doings,  as  the  gods  worshiped  in  the  Parthenon  or 
talked  about  in  the  forum." 

M.  Mallet  says:  "History  has  not  recorded  the 
annals  of  a  people  who  have  occasioned  greater,  more 
sudden,  or  more  numerous  revolutions  in  Europe  than 
the  Scandinavians,  or  whose  antiquities,  at  the  same 
time,  are  so  little  known.    Had,  indeed,  their  eraigra- 


THE    SCANDINA^'AN    LANUUAGKS. 


101 


tions  been  only  like  tliose  sudden  torrents  of  which  ull 
truces  and  remembrance  are  soon  effaced,  the  indifferi'nee 
that  has  been  shown  to  tliem  woukl  have  been  siilli- 
ciently  justified  by  tlie  barbarism  tiiey  have  been  ap- 
proaclied  with.  But,  during  those  general  inundations, 
the  face  of  Euroi)e  underwent  so  total  a  change,  and 
during  the  confusion  tliey  occasioned,  sucii  different 
establishments  took  place ;  new  societies  were  formed, 
animated  so  entirely  by  the  new  spirit,  that  tlie  iiistory 
of  our  own  manners  and  institutions  ought  necessarily 
to  ascend  back,  and  even  dwell  a  considerable  time  upon 
a  period  which  discovers  to  us  their  chief  origin  and 
source. 

"  But  I  ouglit  not  barely  to  assert  this.  Permit  me 
to  support  the  assertions  by  proof.  For  this  purpose 
let  us  briefly  run  over  all  the  different  revolutions  which 
this  part  of  the  world  underwent  during  the  long  course 
of  ages  which  its  history  comprehends,  in  order  to  see 
what  share  the  nations  of  the  North  have  had  in  pro- 
ducing them.  If  we  recur  back  to  the  remotest  times, 
we  observe  a  nation  issuing  step  by  step  from  the  forests 
of  Scythia,  incessantly  increasing  and  dividing  to  take 
possession  of  the  uncultivated  countries  which  it  met 
with  in  its  progress.  Very  soon  after,  we  see  the  same 
people,  like  a  tree  full  of  vigor,  extending  long  branches 
over  all  Europe ;  we  see  them  also  carrying  with  them 
wherever  they  came,  from  the  borders  of  the  Black  Sea 
to  the  extremities  of  Spain,  of  Sicily,  and  of  Greece,  a 
religion  simple  and  martial  as  themselves,  a  form  of 
government  dictated  by  good  sense  and  liberty,  a  restless 
uuconquered  spirit,  apt  to  take  fire  at  the  very  mention 
of  subjection  and  constraint,  and  a  ferocious  courage 


M 


Mm 

i 


102 


TIIK    SCANDINAVIAN    LANCiUAOES. 


iioiirislK'd  by  a  savago  and  vagabond  lite.  While  the 
gentleness  of  the  climate  softened  imperceptibly  the  fero- 
city of  those  who  settled  in  the  South,  colonies  of  Egyp- 
tians and  Planicians  mixing  with  them  u})on  the  coasts 
of  Greece,  and  thence  passing  over  to  those  of  Italy, 
taught  them  at  last  to  live  in  cities,  to  cultivate  letters, 
arts  and  commerce.  Thus  their  opinions,  their  customs 
and  genius,  were  blended  together,  and  new  states  vv'ere 
formed  upon  new  plans.  Home,  in  the  meantime,  arose 
and  at  length  carried  all  before  her.  In  proportion  as 
she  increased  in  grandeur,  she  forgot  her  ancient  man- 
ners, and  destroyed,  among  the  nations  whom  she  over- 
powered, the  original  spirit  with  which  they  were  ani- 
mated. But  this  spirit  continued  unaltered  in  the  colder 
countries  of  Europe,  and  maintained  itself  there  like  the 
independency  of  the  inhabitants.  Scarce  could  tifteen 
or  sixteen  centuries  produce  there  any  change  in  that 
spirit.  There  it  renewed  itself  incessantly;  for,  during 
the  whole  of  tuat  long  interval,  new  adventurers  issuing 
continually  from  the  original  inexhaustible  country, 
trod  upon  the  heels  of  their  fathers  toward  the  north, 
and,  being  in  their  turn  succeeded  by  new  troops  of 
followers,  they  pushed  one  another  forward  like  the 
waves  of  the  sea.  The  northern  countries,  thus  over- 
stocked, and  unable  any  longer  to  contain  such  restless 
inhabitants,  equally  greedy  of  glory  and  plunder,  dis- 
charged at  length  upon  the  Roman  Empire  the  weight 
that  oppressed  them.  The  barriers  of  the  empire,  ill 
defended  by  a  people  whom  prosperity  had  enervated, 
were  borne  down  on  all  sides  by  torrents  of  victorious 
armies.  We  then  see  the  conquerors  introducing,  among 
the  nations  they  vanquished,  viz.,  into  the  very  bosom 


i  I 


THE    SCANDINAVIAN    LAN(;rAGE8. 


1(13 


of  slavery  and  sloth,  that  spirit  of  indopondonco  and 
crjuality,  that  ck' vat  ion  of  soul,  that  tast'j  for  rural  and 
military  lifo,  which  hoth  the  one  and  the  other  had 
originally  derived  from  the  same  common  source,  but 
wliich  were  then  among  the  Romans  breathing  their  last. 
Dispositions  and  jjrinciples  so  ojiposite,  struggled  long 
with  forces  suflleiently  e(|ual,  but  they  nnited  in  the  end, 
they  coalesced  together,  and  from  tiieir  coalition  sprung 
those  principles  and  that  spirit  whieii  governed  after- 
ward almost  all  the  states  of  Europe,  and  which,  not- 
withstanding the  differences  of  climate,  of  religion,  and 
particular  accidents,  do  visibly  reign  in  them,  and  retain, 
to  this  day,  more  or  less,  the  traces  of  their  hrst  common 
origin. 

"  It  is  easy  to  see,  from  this  short  sketch,  how  greatly 
the  nations  of  the  earth  have  inlluenced  the  different 
fates  of  Europe ;  and  if  it  be  worth  while  to  trace  its 
revolutions  to  their  causes;  —  if  the  illustration  of  its 
institutions,  of  its  police,  of  its  customs,  of  its  manners, 
of  its  laws,  be  a  subject  of  useful  and  interesting  inquiry, 
it  must  be  allowed  that  the  antiquities  of  the  North, 
that  is  to  say,  everything  which  tends  to  make  us  ac- 
quainted with  its  ancient  inhabitants,  merits  a  share  in 
the  attention  of  thinking  men.  But  to  render  this 
obvious  by  a  particular  example :  is  it  not  well  known 
that  the  most  flourishing  and  celebrated  states  of  Europe 
owe  originally  to  the  northern  nations  whatever  liberty 
they  now  enjoy,  either  in  their  constitution  or  in  the 
spirit  of  their  government?  For  although  the  Gothic 
form  of  government  has  been  almost  everywhere  altered 
or  abolished,  have  we  not  retained,  in  most  things,  the 
opinions,  the  customs,  the  manners  which  that  govern- 


m^ 


104 


THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 


menfc  had  a  tendency  to  produce  ?  Is  not  this,  in  fact, 
the  principal  source  of  that  courage,  of  that  aversion  to 
slavery,  of  that  empire  of  honor  which  characterized  in 
general  the  European  nations;  and  of  that  moderation, 
of  that  easiness  of  access,  and  peculiar  attention  to  the 
rights  of  humanity,  which  so  happily  distinguish  our 
sovereigns  from  the  inaccessible  and  superb  tyrants  of 
Asia  ?  The  immense  extent  of  the  Roman  Empire  had 
rendered  its  constitution  so  despotic  and  military,  many 
of  its  emperors  were  such  ferocious  ^nonsters,  its  senate 
was  become  so  mean-spirited  and  vile,  that  all  elevation 
of  sentiment,  everything  that  was  noble  and  manly, 
seems  to  have  been  forever  banished  from  their  hearts 
and  minds;  insomuch  that  if  all  Europe  had  received 
tlie  yoke  of  Rome  in  this  her  state  of  debasement,  this 
fine  part  of  the  world  reduced  to  the  inglorious  con- 
dition of  the  rest  could  not  have  avoided  falling  into 
that  kind  of  barbarity,  which  is  of  all  others  the  most 
incurable;  as,  by  making  as  many  slaves  as  there  are 
men,  it  degrades  them  so  low  as  not  to  leave  them  even 
a  thought  or  desire  of  bettering  their  condition.  But 
nature  has  long  prepared  a  remedy  for  such  great  evils, 
in  that  unsubmitting,  unconquerable  spirit  with  which 
she  has  inspired  the  people  of  the  North;  and  thus  she 
made  amends  to  the  human  race  for  all  the  calamities 
which,  in  other  respects,  the  inroads  of  these  nations 
and  the  overthrow  of  the  Roman  Empire  produced. 

"The  great  prerogative  of  Scandinavia  (says  the  ad- 
mirable author  of  the  Spirit  of  Laws*),  and  what  ought 
to  recommend  its  inhabitants  beyond  every  people  upon 
earth,  is,  that  they  afforded  the  great  resource  to  the 

•  Baron  dc  MoutcBquicu  (L'Esprit  dc  Lois). 


■ 


THE    SCANDINAVIAN    LANCJlAUKrf. 


105 


liljorty  of  Euroj.'?,  that  is,  to  almost  Jill  the  liberty  that 
is  among  men.  The  Goth  Jornande,  adds  he,  calls  the 
North  of  Europe  the  forge  of  mankind.  I  should  rather 
call  it  the  forge  of  those  instruments  which  broke  the 
fetters  manufactured  in  the  South.  It  was  there  those 
valiant  nations  were  bred  who  left  their  native  climes  to 
destroy  tyrants  and  slaves,  and  so  to  teach  men  that 
nature  having  made  them  equal,  no  reason  could  be 
assigned  for  their  becoming  dependent  but  their  mutual 
happiness." 

H.  W.  Longfellow  is  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  the 
Scandmavian  languages.  Of  the  Icelandic  he  says: 
"  The  Icelandic  is  as  remarkable  as  the  Anglo-Saxon  for 
its  abruptness,  its  obscurity  and  the  boldness  of  its 
metaphors.  Poets  are  called  Songsmiths;  —  poetry,  the 
Language  of  the  Gods;  —  gold,  the  Daylight  of  Dwarfs; 
—  the  heavens,  the  Scull  of  Ymer;  —  the  rainbow,  tlie 
Bridge  of  the  Gods ;  — a  battle,  a  Bath  of  Blood,  the  llail 
of  Odin,  the  Meeting  of  Shields ;  —  the  tongue,  tho  Sword 
of  Words ;  —  a  river,  the  Sweat  of  Earth,  the  Blood  of  the 
Valleys;  —  arrows,  the  Daughters  of  Misfortune,  the 
Hailstones  of  Helmets;  —  the  earth,  the  Vessel  that 
floats  on  the  Ages ;  —  the  sea,  the  Field  of  Pirates ;  — 
a  ship;  the  Skate  of  Pirates,  the  Ilorsc  of  the  Wsurs. 
The  anrient  Skald  (Bard)  smote  the  strings  of  his  harp 
with  as  bold  a  hand  as  the  Berserk  smote  his  foe.  When 
heroes  fell  in  battle  he  sang  to  them  in  his  Drapa,  or 
death-song,  that  they  had  gone  to  drink  'divine  mead 
in  the  secure  and  tranquil  palaces  of  the  gods,'  in  that 
Valhalla  upon  whose  walls  stood  the  watchman  Heim- 
dal,  whose  ear  was  so  acute  that  he  could  hear  the  grass 


..:*!,: 


m 


106 


THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 


grow  in  the  meadows  of  earth,  and  the  wool  on  the 
backs  of  sheep.  He  lived  in  a  credulous  age,  in  the 
dim  twilight  of  the  past.    He  was 

'The  eky-lark  in  the  dawn  of  years, 
The  poet  of  the  morn.' 

In  the  vast  solitudes  around  him,  the  heart  of  Nature 
beat  against  his  own.  From  the  midnight  gloom  of 
groves,  the  deep- voiced  pines  answered  the  deeper- 
voiced  and  neighboring  sea.  To  his  ear,  these  were  not 
the  voices  of  dead,  but  living  things.  Demons  rode  the 
ocean  like  a  weary  steed,  and  the  gigantic  pines  flapped 
their  sounding  wings  to  smite  the  spirit  of  the  storm. 

"Still  wilder  and  fiercer  were  these  influences  of 
Nature  in  desolate  Iceland,  than  on  the  mainland  of 
Scandinavia.  Fields  of  lava,  icebergs,  geysers  and  vol- 
canoes were  familiar  sights.  When  the  long  winter 
came,  and  the  snowy  Heckla  roared  through  the  sunless 
air,  and  the  flames  of  the  Northern  Aurora  flashed  along 
the  sky,  like  phantoms  from  Valhalla,  the  soul  of  the 
poet  was  filled  with  images  of  terror  and  dismay.  He 
bewailed  the  death  of  Baldur,  the  sun ;  and  saw  in  each 
eclipse  the  horrid  form  of  tlie  wolf,  Maanegarm,  who 
swallowed  the  moon  and  stained  the  sky  with  blood." 

Professor  W.  Fiske,  of  Cornell  University,  who  is 
undoubtedly  the  most  learned  northern  scholar  in  this 
country,  who  has  spent  several  years  in  the  Scandinavian 
':':^"ntries,  and  who  is  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  Iceland 
and  its  Sagas,  has  sent  me  the  following  lines  for  inser- 
tion in  this  appendix: 

"  It  is  not  necessary  to  dwell  on  the  value  of  Icelandic 
to  those  who  desire  to  investigate  the  early  history  of  the 


THE    SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAOE*^. 


107 


'^eutonic  race.  The  religious  belief  of  our  remote  an- 
cestors, and  very  many  of  their  primitive  legal  and  social 
customs,  some  of  which  still  influence  the  daily  life  of 
the  people,  find  their  clearest  and  often  their  only  eluci- 
dation in  the  so-called  Eddie  and  Skaldic  lays,  and  in  the 
Sagas.  The  same  writings  form  the  sole  sources  of 
Scandinavian  history  before  the  fourteenth  century,  and 
they  not  infrequently  shed  a  welcome  ray  on  the  obscure 
annals  of  the  British  Islands,  and  of  several  continental 
nations.  They  furnish,  moreover,  an  almost  unique  ox- 
ample  of  a  modern  literature  which  is  completely  indige- 
nous. The  old  Icelandic  literature,  which  Mobius  ^ruly 
characterizes  as  *ein  Philnomen  vom  Standpunkte  der 
allgemeinen  Cultur  und  Literaturgeschichte,'  and  be- 
side which  the  literatures  of  all  the  other  early  Teutonic 
dialects  —  Gothic,  Old  High  German,  Saxon,  Frisian, 
and  Anglo-Sa-^'-on  —  are  as  a  drop  to  a  bucket  of  water, 
developed  itself  out  of  the  actual  life  of  the  people  under 
little  or  no  extraneous  influence.  In  this  respect  it  de- 
serves the  careful  study  of  every  student  of  letters.  For 
the  English-speaking  races  especially  there  is  nowhere, 
so  near  home,  a  field  promising  to  the  scholar  so  rich 
a  harvest.  The  few  translations,  or  attempted  transla- 
tions, which  are  to  be  found  in  English,  give  merely 
a  faint  idea  of  the  treasures  of  antique  wisdom  and 
sublime  poetry  which  exist  in  the  Eddie  lays,  or  of  the 
quaint  simplicity,  dramatic  action,  and  striking  realism 
which  characterize  the  historical  Sagas.  Nor  is  the 
modern  literature  of  the  language,  with  its  rich  and 
abundant  stores  of  folk-lore,  unworthy  of  regard." 

Benjamin  Lossing  says:  "It  is  back  to  the  Nor- 
wegian Vikings  we  must  look  for  the  hardiest  elements 
of  progress  in  the  United  States." 


i 


^ym 


108 


THE   SCAXDIXAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 


B.  F.  De  Costa. —  "Let  us  remember  that  in  vindi- 
cating tlie  Northmen  we  honor  those  who  not  only  give 
us  the  first  knowledge  possessed  of  the  American  conti- 
nent, but  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  much  l)esides  that 
we  esteem  valuable.  For  we  fable  in  a  great  measure 
when  we  speak  of  our  Saxon  inheritance ;  it  is  rather  from 
the  Northmen  that  we  have  derived  our  vital  energy,  our 
freedom  of  thought,  and,  in  a  measure  that  we  do  not  yet 
suspect,  our  strength  of  sioeech.  Yet,  happily,  the  people 
are  fast  becoming  conscious  of  their  indebtedness ;  so  that 
it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  Avhen 
the  Northmen  may  be  recognized  in  their  right  social, 
political  and  literary  characters,  and  at  the  same  time, 
as  navigators,  af-sume  their  true  position  in  the  Pre-Co- 
lumbian Discovery  of  America. 

"The  twelfth  century  was  an  era  of  great  literary 
activity  in  Iceland,  and  the  century  following  showed 
the  same  zeal.  Finally  Iceland  possessed  a  body  of  prose 
literature  superior  in  (quantity  and  value  to  that  of  any 
other  modern  nation  of  its  time.  Indeed,  the  natives  of 
Europe,  at  this  period,  had  no  prose  literature  in  any 
modern  language  spoken  by  the  people. 

"  Yet  while  other  nations  were  without  a  literature, 
the  intellect  of  Iceland  was  in  active  exercise  and  works 
were  produced  like  the  Eddas  and  Heimskringla, — 
works  which,  being  inspired  by  a  lofty  genius,  will  rank 
with  the  writings  of  Homer  and  Herodotus  while  time 
itself  endures." 

Says  Sir  Edmund  Head,  in  regard  to  the  Norwegian 
literature  of  the  twelfth  century :  "  No  doubt  there  were 
translations  in  Anglo-Saxon  from  the  Latin,  by  Alfred, 


THE   .SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 


inO 


of  an  earlier  date,  but  there  was  in  truth  no  vernacuhir 
hterature.  I  cannot  name,"  he  says,  "  any  work  in  high 
or  low  German  prose  which  can  be  carried  back  to  this 
period.  In  France,  prose  writing  cannot  be  said  to  have 
begun  before  the  time  of  Villehardouin  (1204)  and  Juin- 
ville  (120:2) ;  Castilian  prose  certainly  did  not  begin  Ijefore 
the  time  of  Alfonso  X  (1252);  Don  Juan  Manvel,  tlie 
author  Coiide  Lucannr,  was  not  born  till  1282.  The 
Cronica  General  dc  Espana  was  not  composed  till  at 
least  the  middle  of  the  thirteenth  century.  Al)Out  the 
same  time  the  language  of  Italy  was  acquiring  that  soft- 
ness and  strength  which  were  destined  to  appear  so  con- 
spicuously in  the  prose  of  Boccaccio  and  the  writers  of 
the  next  century. 

"  Of  course  there  was  more  or  less  poetry,  yet  poetry 
is  something  that  is  early  develo})ed  among  the  rudest 
nations,  while  good^;rose  tells  that  a  people  have  become 
highly  advanced  in  mental  culture." 

William  and  Mary  IIowitt. —  "There  is  nothing 
besides  the  Bible,  which  sits  in  a  divine  tranquillity  of 
unapproachable  nobility,  like  a  King  of  Kings  amongst 
all  other  books,  and  the  poem  of  Homer  itself,  which  can 
compare  in  all  the  elements  of  greatness  with  the  Edda. 
There*  is  a  loftiness  of  stature  and  a  growth  of  muscle 
about  it  which  no  poets  of  the  same  race  have  ever  since 
reached.  The  obscurity  which  hangs  over  some  parts  of 
it,  like  the  deep  shadows  crouching  mid  tiie  ruins  of  the 
past,  is  probably  the  result  of  dilapidations;  but,  amid 
this,  stand  forth  the  boldest  masses  of  intellectual  ma- 
sonry. We  are  astonished  at  the  wisdom  which  is  shaped 
into  maxims,  and  at  the  tempestuous  strength  of  passions 


^r 


110 


THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANtiLAOES. 


to  which  Jill  modern  emotions  appear  puny  and  con- 
strained. Amid  the  bright  sunlight  of  a  far-olF  time, 
surrounded  by  the  densest  shadows  of  forgotten  ages, 
we  come  at  once  into  the  midst  of  gods  and  heroes,  god- 
desses and  fair  women,  giants  and  dwarfs,  moving  about 
in  a  world  of  wonderful  construction,  unlike  any  other 
worlds  or  creations  which  God  has  founded  or  man 
has  imagined,  but  still  beautiful  beyond  conception. 

"The  Icelandic  poems  have  no  parallel  in  all  the 
treasures  of  ancient  literature.  They  are  the  expressions 
of  the  souls  of  poets  existing  in  the  primeval  and  un- 
efTeminated  earth.  They  are  limnings  of  men  and  women 
of  godlike  beauty  and  endowments,  full  of  the  vigor  of 
simple  but  impetuous  natures.  There  are  gigantic  pro- 
portions about  them.  There  are  great  and  overwhelming 
tragedies  in  them,  to  which  those  of  Greece  only  present 
any  parallels. 

"  The  Edda  is  a  structure  of  that  grandeur  and  im- 
portance that  it  deserves  to  be  far  better  knotvn  to  us 
generally  than  it  is.  The  spirit  in  it  is  sublime  and 
colossal." 


Pliny  Miles. —  "  The  literary  history  of  If  aland  in 
the  early  ages  of  the  Republic  is  of  a  most  interesting 
character.  When  we  consider  the  limited  population  of 
the  country,  and  the  many  disadvantages  under  which 
they  labored,  their  literature  is  the  most  remarkable  on 
record.  The  old  Icelanders,  from  the  tenth  to  the  six- 
teenth century,  through  a  period  of  the  history  of  the 
world  when  little  intellectual  light  beamed  from  the  sur- 
rounding nations,  were  as  devoted  and  ardent  workers  in 
the  fields  of  history  and  poetry  as  any  community  in  the 


THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGflS. 


Ill 


world  uiulor  the  most  favonible  circumstances.  Spring- 
ing from  tlie  Old  A'^orso  or  Norwegian  stock,  they  curried 
the  hinguiige  and  habits  of  their  ancestors  with  them  to 
their  highland  home.  Though  a  very  large  number  of 
our  English  words  are  derived  direct  from  the  Icelandic, 
yet  the  most  learned  and  indefatigable  of  our  lexicog- 
ra})hers,  both  in  England  and  America,  have  acknowl- 
edged their  ignorance  of  this  language. 

"The  Eddas  abound  in  mythological  machinery  to 
an  extent  quite  equal  to  the  writings  of  Homer  and 
Virgil." 

The  learned  German  writer  Schlegel,  in  his  "  Es- 
thetics and  Miscellaneous  Works,"  says:  "  If  any  monu- 
ment of  the  primitive  northern  world  deserves  a  })lace 
amongst  the  earlier  remains  of  the  South,  the  Icelandic 
Edda  must  be  deemed  worthy  of  that  distinction.  The 
spiritual  veneration  for  Nature,  to  which  the  sonsual 
Greek  was  an  entire  stranger,  gushes  forth  in  the  mys- 
terious language  and  prophetic  traditions  of  the  North- 
ern Edda  with  a  full  tide  of  enthusiasm  and  inspiration 
sufficient  to  endure  for  centuries,  and  to  supply  a  wliole 
race  of  future  bards  and  poets  with  a  precious  and  ani- 
mating elixir.  The  vivid  delineations,  the  rich,  glowing 
abundance  and  animation  of  the  Homeric  pictures  of 
the  world,  are  not  more  decidedly  superior  to  the  misty 
scenes  and  shadowy  forms  of  Ossiiin,  than  (he  Xorthern 
Edda  is  in  its  suhJiniitj)  to  the  works  of  Ilesiod." 

Prof.  Dr.  Deitricii  asserts  '•  that  the  Scandinavian 
literature  is  extraordinarily  ricli  in  all  kinds  of  writings." 

IIox.  George  P.  Marsh.  —  "It  must  suffice  to  re- 
mark that,  in  the  opinion  of  those  most  competent  to 


112 


nil':    SCANDINAVIAN     I.ANOT AOKS. 


jiKlyc,  (he  Ict'lainlic  liliTuhirc  Iui8  novcr  Ik'cm  surpjisscd, 
it'  ('i|m:iIc(I,  ill  all  that  gives  value  (<»  that  portion  of  iiis- 
loiy  wliii'ii  consists  of  spirited  ileliiieatioiis  of  charai'ler 
and  I'aitiit'iil  and  lively  pictures  of  events  asnong  nations 
in  a.  rude  state  of  society. 

"  'I'liat  the  study  of  the  Old  Northern  tongue  may 
have  an  important  bearing  on  Knglish  grammar  and 
etvmologv.  will  he  obvious,  when  it  is  known  that  the 
Icelandic:  is  most  closely  allied  to  the  Anglo-Saxon,  of 
which  so  few  monunu'iits  ar-'  extant  :  and  a  slight 
examination  of  its  structure  and  remarkable  syntactical 
character  will  satisfy  the  reader  that  it  may  well  deserve 
the  attention  of  the  philologist." 

The  excellent  writer,  Chaulks  \j.  Uuack,  in  speak- 
ing of  Ici'land,  says:  "The  ('oiigress,  or  'Althing,'  of 
the  Icelanders,  had  many  of  the  best  political  features 
which  have  distinguislied  parliamentary  government  in 
all  branches  of  the  Teutonic  race  since.  Every  free- 
holder \oted  in  it,  and  its  decisions  governed  all  inferior 
courts.  It  tried  the  lesser  magistrates,  and  chose  the 
presiding  otlicers  of  the  colony. 

*' To  this  remote  island  (Iceland)  came,  too,  that  re- 
markable profession,  who  were  at  once  the  poets,  his- 
torians, genealogists  and  moralists  of  the  Norse  race, 
the  ISkalds.  These  men,  before  writing  was  much  in 
use,  lumded  down  bv  memory,  in  familiar  and  often 
alliterative  poetry,  the  names  and  deeds  of  the  brave 
Norsemen,  their  victories  on  every  coast  of  Europe, 
their  histories  and  passions,  and  wild  deaths,  their 
family  ties,  and  the  boundaries  of  their  possessions, 
their  adventures  and  voyages,  and  even  their  law  and 


I'llh;    SCANhlNAVIAN     I,AN(;r AUKS. 


Il.'i 


their  Miytliolo;^^.  In  I'iU't,  nil  tlwit.  history  uiid  legal  doc- 
imiciils,  and  gciiciiJo^^'KiHl  rccjonls  arul  |KM'ti'y  tnuiHmit 
IU)W,  was  liarult'd  down  by  these  Itardn  of  the  Nor«t'ineii. 
I('(!laiid  l)e(;arne  tlieir  peculiar  center  and  home.  Here, 
in  hold  and  vivid  lan<^iia;,'e,  they  recorded  in  work.s, 
\vhicl>  posterity  will  never  lot  die,  the  achievements  of 
the  Vikings,  Ihi'  ronijiivsl  of  (tlinost  eimrj/  paople  in 
/'Jnro/Ki  hfi  llu'sc,  vi(ji)i'(nis  pirn/cs  ;  tlnnr  wild  ventures, 
their  contempt  of  pain  a,nd  death,  tlu;ir  absolute  joy  in 
danger,  combat  and  diniciiity.  In  th.  le,  tlie  oldest  re- 
(!ords  of  our  (/.  c,  tlic  Americans')  forefathers,  Avill  be 
found  even  among  these  wild  rovers  the  respect  for  law 
which  has  characterized  every  branch  of  the  Teutonic 
race  since ;  hvn;  (iiul  /to/  in,  fha  Striss  ran/ons,  is  the 
//('(/ in II iiif/  of  /'nrlioiiKtuf,  (did  ('oiif/rcss  ;  here,  and  not 
with  Ihc  Aiifihi-Sdxoiis,  is  the  fou  ii<l(ilion  of  trial  by  jury; 
(Old  hcrv,  ((iiioiiy  their  most  niiijoreriied  ii.uissail,  is  that 
hif/h  rerereiicr  for  iroiiiait,  irhir.h  has  ayain  rovie  forth  tnj 
iiiheriiaiire  anioiiy  the  Any/o-Norse  Aiixrirans.  Tiie 
ancestors  (at  least  morally)  of  Kaleigh  and  Nelson,  and 
Kane  and  Karragut,  appear  in  these  records,  among 
these  sea-rovers,  whose  })assion  was  danger  and  venture 
on  the  waters.  Here,  too,  among  such  men  as  the 
'Haven  Floki,'  is  the  prototype  of  those  American 
pioneers  who  follow  the  wild  birds  into  pathless  wilder- 
nesses to  found  new  republics.  And  it  is  the  Norse 
^'udal"  projyerty,  not  the  I'hiropean  feudal  property, 
which  is  the  model  for  the  American  descendants  of  the 
ancient  Norseman. 

"  In  these  Icelandic  Sagas,  too,  is  portrayed  the  deep 
moral  sentiment  which  characterizes  the  most  ancient 

mythology  of  the   Teutonic  races.     Here  we  have  no 

5* 


til 


114 


THE    BCANDINxVVIAN    LANCiUAGliS. 


dissolute  Pantlieon,  with  gods  revelling  eternally  in 
earthly  vices,  and  the  evils  and  wrongs  of  humanity 
continued  forever.  Even  the  ghosts  of  the  Northmen 
have  the  muscle  of  the  race ;  they  ai'e  no  pale  shadows 
Hitting  through  the  Orcus.  The  dead  tight  and  eat  with 
the  vigor  of  the  living.  But  there  comes  a  dread  time 
when  destiny  overtakes  all,  both  huma-n  and  divine 
beings,  and  the  universe  with  its  evil  and  wrong  must 
perish  (Ragnarokr).  Yet  even  the  crack  of  doom  linds 
not  the  Norsemen  timid  or  fearing.  Gods  and  men  die 
in  the  heat  of  the  conflict;  and  there  survives  alone, 
Baldur,  the  '  God  of  Love,'  who  shall  create  a  new 
heaven  and  a  new  earth. 

"  It  is  from  Iceland  that  we  get  the  wonderful  poetic 
and  mythologic  collections  of  the  Elder  and  Younger 
Eddas.  In  this  remote  island  the  original  Norse  lan- 
guage was  preserved  more  purely  than  it  was  in  Norway 
or  Denmark,  and  the  Icelandic  literature  shed  a  Hood  of 
light  over  a  dark  and  barbarous  age.  Even  now  the 
modern  Icelanders  can  read  or  repeat  their  most  ancient 
Sagas  with  but  little  change  of  dialect. 

'*  But  to  an  American,  one  of  the  most  interesting 
gifts  of  Iceland  to  the  world  is  the  record  of  the  dis- 
covery of  Northern  America  by  Icelandic  rovers  (?)  near 
the  year  1000. 

"We  think  few  scholars  can  carefully  read  these  Sagas, 
and  the  accompanying  in  regard  to  Greenland,  without 
a  conviction  that  the  Icelandic  and  Norwegian  Vikings 
did  at  that  early  period  discover  and  land  on  the  coast 
of  our  eastern  States.  *  *  *  The  shortest  winter 
day  is  stated  with  such  precision  as  to  fix  the  lati- 
tude near  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island. 


THE    SCANDINAVIAN    LANCJIAOES. 


115 


*  *  *   Ict'liuul,  tlicn,  lias  tlie  lioiior  of  Imving  discoveivel 
Aniericii. 

"That  volciinic-niised  island,  with  its  nionntaiiis  of 
ico  and  valleys  of  lava  and  ashes,  has  played  no  mean 
part  in  the  world's  history." — Vhvistian  Union,  July  15, 
laiJt. 

The  famous  Oeoroe  STEpnENS,  in  his  elaborate  work 
on  "Runic  Monuments,"  having  discussed  the  impor- 
tance of  studying  the  Scandinavian  languages  in  order 
that  many  of  our  fine  old  roots  may  again  creep  into 
circulation,  says:  "  Let  ?<.s'  (the  English)  study  the  Scan- 
dinavian languages,  and  ennoble  and  restore  our  mother 
tongue.  Let  the  Scandinavians  study  Old  English  as 
well  as  their  own  ancient  records,  give  up  mere  provincial 
views,  and  melt  their  various  dudccts  into  one  shining, 
rich,  sweet  and  manly  speech,  as  we  have  done  in  Eng- 
land. Their  High  Northern  shall  then  live  forever,  the 
home  language  of  eight  millions  of  hardy  freemen,  our 
brothers  in  the  east  sea,  our  Warings  and  Guardsmen 
against  the  grasping  clutches  of  the  modern  Hun  and 
the  modern  Vandal.  The  time  may  come  when  the 
kingdom  of  Canute  may  be  restored  in  a  nobler  shape, 
when  the  bands  of  Sea-kings  shall  rally  round  one 
Northern  Union  standard,  when  one  f^ccpter  shall  sway 
the  seas  and  coasts  of  onr  forefathers  from  the  Thames 
to  the  North  Cape,  from  Finland  to  the  Eider. 

"  We  have  watered  our  mother  tongue  long  enough 
with  bastard  Latin  ;  let  us  now  brace  and  steel  it  with 
the  life-water  of  onr  own  sweet  and  soft  and  rich  and 
shining  and  clear  ringing  and  manly  and  world-ranging, 
ever  dearest  English  ! " 


ll(> 


TIIK    .S(  ANDINAVIAX    LANG  I  AG  E8. 


In  his  i)refuce  to  his  Ict'ljindic  gniiuniur,  Dr.  G.  W. 
Dasknt  suys:  "  Putting  aside  the  study  of  Old  Norse 
for  tiie  S'dkv  of  its  nuigniliceiit  literature,  and  consider- 
ing it  merely  as  an  accessory  help  for  the  English  student, 
we  shall  iind  it  of  immense  advantage,  not  only  in  trac- 
ing the  rise  of  words  and  idioms,  but  still  more  in  clear- 
ing up  many  dark  points  in  our  early  history;  in  fact, 
so  highly  do  I  value  it  in  this  respect,  that  I  cannot 
imagine  it  possilde  to  write  a  satisfactory  history  of  the 
Anglo-Saxon  period  without  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
the  Old  Norse  literature." 

Dk.  Dasent,  in  his  introduction  to  Cleasby's  and 
Vigfusson's  Icelandic  Dictionary,  says  of  Iceland  :  "  No 
other  country  in  Europe  possesses  an  ancient  vernacular 
to  be  compared  with  this."  And  again:  "Whether  in 
a  literary  or  in  a  philological  point  of  view,  no  literature 
in  Europe  in  the  middle  ages  can  compete  in  interest 
with  that  of  Iceland.  It  is  not  certainly  m  forma  pau- 
peris that  she  appears  at  the  tribunal  of  learning."  In 
another  place  he  remarks:  "In  it  (the  Dictionary)  the 
English  student  now  possesses  a  key  to  that  rich  store  of 
knowledge  which  the  early  literature  of  Iceland  possesses. 
lie  may  read  the  Eddas  and  Sagas,  which  contain  sources 
of  delight  and  treasures  of  learning  such  as  no  other 
language  but  that  of  Iceland  possesses." 

The  distinguished  German  scholar,  Ettmuller,  in 
comparing  the  literature  of  the  Anglo-Saxons  with  that 
of  the  Icelanders,  says:  "Neither  the  Goths,  nor  the 
Germans,  nor  the  French,  can  be  compared  with  the 
Anglo-Saxons  in  the  cultivation  of  letters.  By  the  Scan- 
dinavians alone,  they  are  not  only  equaled,  but  also  sur- 


TTIF.    S«  ANDINAVIAX     I.AXOl'AOKS. 


117 


passed  in  liteniturc."  And  a^ain:  "  If  the  Scjindinaviana 
excel  in  lyric  poctrv,  \\\v  An;4l()-Su.\ons  can  lH)ast  of  their 
epic  poetry.  If  the  famous  island  in  the  roniote  North- 
ern Sea  apj)lied  itself  witii  distin*(iiisiiL'd  honor  to  his- 
torical studies,  the  isle  of  the  Aii<(Io-Sa.\ons  is  csi)ecially 
entitled  to  praise  from  the  fact  that  it  produced  orators, 
who,  considering  the  time  in  which  they  lived,  were  de- 
cidedly excellent." 

Max  Mlller,  in  his  "Science  of  Language,"  says : 
"There  is  a  third  stream  of  Teutonic  speech,  which  it 
would  be  impossible  to  ])lace  in  any  l)ut  a  co-ordinate 
position  with  regard  to  Gothic,  Low  and  High  German. 
This  is  the  Scuudinavian  branch." 

In  Wheaton's  "History  of  the  Northmen,"  we  find 
the  following  passages :  "  The  Icelanders  cherished  and 
cultivated  the  language  and  literature  of  their  ancestors 
with  remarkable  success.  *  *  *  j,j  Iceland  an 
independent  literature  grew  up,  flourished,  and  was 
brought  to  a  certain  degree  of  perfection  before  the  re- 
vival of  learning  in  the  south  of  EnropeP 

Robert  Buchanax,  the  eminent  English  writer,  in 
reviewing  the  modern  Scandinavian  literature,  says: 
"  While  German  literature  darkens  under  the  malignant 
star  of  Dei  tschthum,  while  French  art,  sickening  of  its 
long  disease,  crawls  like  a  leper  through  the  light  and 
wholesome  world,  while  all  over  the  European  continent 
one  wan  influence  or  another  asserts  its  despair-engen- 
dering sway  over  books  and  men,  whither  shall  a  be- 
wildered student  fly  for  one  deep  breath  of  pure  air  and 
wholesome  ozone  ?    Goethe  and  Heine  have  sung  their 


118 


rilK    S(.  AMUNAVIAN     I.AM.r  AUKS. 


lu'st  —  aiitl  woivst ;  AllVi'd  dv  Musst't  is  tU'ud,  ami  Victor 
llu«,^)  is  tiiriii'il  |»olitii'iaii.  (Jrillpar/rr  is  still  a  inystiTy, 
thanks  parilv  to  tlu*  ilaikoiiinL;-  iiii'iliiim  of  ('ailvK''s 
liostilo  oritic'ism.  l-'nuii  tlu'  :'.slu'S  of  'IV'Utoiiic  traii- 
siviulontalisin  rises  Wauiicr  likr  a  IMmiux, —  a  liird  too 
iiiu'iumnoii  (or  orilinary  ('(uniuvlu'iisioii,  l)ut  to  all  iii- 
tonls  ami  j)iir[)osi's  an  anomaly  at  lu'sl.  Oiu'  tiros  oT 
anomalies,  ono  sickens  of  politics,  one  sluuKK'rs  at  the 
potticoat.  litoratnr(»  lirst  creati'il  at  Woiniar:  and  lo*»kini;' 
east  and  west,  ranyinu:  ^vith  a  trne  invalid's  hnniier  the 
literary  hori/,i)ir,  one  searches  for  soniethini:  more  natn- 
ral,  lor  some  form  of  indigenons  and  nnadornetl  love- 
liiieSL.,  wherewith  to  Meet  the  time  pleasantly,  as  they 
did  in  the  golden  worlil. 

''That  somethiau:  may  he  fonnd  without  traveling' 
very  far.  Turn  northwaid.  in  the  footsteps  of  'l\'ufels- 
ilrttclik,  traversing  the  great  valleys  ot*  Seandinavia,  and 
not  halting  until,  like  the  philosopher,  yon  look  upon 
'that  sh)wly  heaving  l*olar  Ocean,  over  which  in  the 
ntnu»st  m)rth  the  great  sun  hangs  lew.'  Quieiaml  peace- 
ful lii>s  Norway  yet  as  in  the  world's  morning.  The 
ilocks  of  summer  tourists  alight  upon  her  shores,  ami 
scatter  themselves  to  their  numherless  stations,  without 
disturhing  the  peaceful  serenity  of  her  social  life.  *  *^  * 
The  government  is  a  virtual  denu)cracy,  such  as  would 
gladden  the  heart  of  (Jamhetta,  the  Swedish  momirch's 
rule  over  Norway  heing  merely  titular.  *  There  are  no 
hereditary  nohles.  There  is  no  *gag'  on  the  ])ress. 
Science  and  poetry  alike  tlourish  on  this  free  soil.  'IMie 
science  is  grand  as  Ntiture  herself,  cosmic  as  well  as 
microscopic.  The  poetry  is  fresh,  light,  and  pellucid, 
worthy  oi'  the  race,  and  altogether  free  from  l*arlsiHU 
taint." 


TIIK    SCANDINAVIAN     LANliT A(iKS. 


{[{) 


"  n.K'tUNST.iKUNK  H.m"»unson,*  DUO  of  tho  most  emi- 
nent of  livin«j[  Norwegian  anthors,  is  sonu'ihin«»  more 
tlum  even  tho  tincst  pastoral  tak'tellor  of  this  goiu'ration. 
lie  is  a  ilrainatist  of  oxtraonlinary  powor.  He  does  not 
possess  the  power  of  imaginative  fancy  sliown  by  Werge- 
hiiulf  (in  ::;i;eii  pieces  as  Jd/i  vitn  Ifin/smns  /Honisfcr- 
n/ ///•/(•('),  nor  Welhaven'sj:  relinement  of  phrase,  nor  tlio 
wiKl,  meUxlious  abandon  of  Ids  <;reatest  rival,  the  author 
of  J\'('r  (hint  .jl  but,  to  my  thinkini;  at  least,  he  stands 
as  a  poet  in  a  tar  higher  rank  than  any  of  these  writers. 

"In  more  tlian  one  respect,  particularly  in  the  loose, 
disjointed  structure  of  the  piece,  '■Sitjurd  Slriti/w*  re- 
minds one  of  Ooethe's '  (rocf:,'  but  it  deals  with  mnterials 
far  harder  to  assimilate,  and  is  on  the  wiiole  a  liner 
picture  of  romantic  manners.  Aiulhild  (a  prominent 
character  in  ^Sigurd  Slviiihc')  is  a  creation  worthy  of 
(Joethe  at  his  best;  worthy,  in  my  opinion,  to  rank  with 
(Ma'iH'hen,  Marguerite  and  Mignou  as  a  masterpiece  of 
delicate  characterization.  And  here  1  may  ol)serve,  inci- 
ilentally,  that  Itjornson  excels  in  his  pictures  of  delicate 

♦  Hji'WiNBTJKUNK  njtiitNsoN  \V!is  1)0111  ill  18.'J2;  hn«  wiittoii  wovcrul  novelB, 
(hiUUHs  iiiul  opio  poi'iiiH.  ••  Sujiiril  .s'/t //(!''»."  Im  a  (liiiniii,  published  in  IKtCl,  of 
wldrli  Ivoticrt  nmiitiiiaii  nayK:  ••  It  is.  dcsIiU-h  lioin^  ii  inantfipit't'o  liy  Hh 
aiillior,  a  diania  of  wliirli  any  living'  Kiiro|.fan  aullior  iiii^lit  lie  .iiir*tly  proud." 
Sfvi-nil  of  liiH  novels,  iiuhidinv:  '  Arm-,"  'A  Happy  Hoy,"  ••The  FiHlior- 
maiden,"  liave  ticon  Iianslaiid  into  Kn^,'lisli. 

t  IIknkik  Aknoi.d  Wt:iUiKi,ANi>  waH  Imrn  in  ISOH,  and  died  in  \M\  lie  1h 
till'  Hymn  of  tin-  Noilii.  His  works  eomprlsf  nine  ponderous  voiuines.  IIo 
exeelled  in  lyries. 

I  iloiiN  Skiiastian  W'ki.iiavkn,  liorn  in  1807,  died  in  1S7.'!.  Uennirlialile  for 
tlie  ele!,'anee  and  eliasteiiess  of  his  style.  No  poet  hr.8  inoro  heauillully  and 
correi'lly  deserilied  tlie  natural  scenery  of  Norw.'iy. 

II  Tlie  author  of  ■  I'or  dijnt"  is  IIknuik  Ihskn.  horn  in  IH'iS.  Was  en- 
jjaijed  hy  Ole  l>iill  as  instiiielor  at  llie  theatre  in  I'M'rm  ii,  whieli  position  he 
oieupied  six  yeais,  lie  lias  written  se\eral  tli:ini:itie  works,  eliielly  of  a 
poh-mic  and  e\eeedin;;ly  satirical  nature.  Many  of  his  eounlryiucu  profer 
Ihsou  to  HjOrnson.    His  last  work  is  ••  KtiKtr  i»j  (r<UlUetr,*' 


m 


ri 


120 


THE   SCANDINAVIAN    LANGUAGES. 


,i„!i 


feminine  types, —  a  proof,  if  proof  were  wanting,  that  he 
is  worthy  to  take  rank  with  the  highest  class  of  poetic 
creators." 

I  might  add  to  the  above  quotations  from  Max  Miil- 
ler,  the  brothers  Grimm  and  many  other  eminent  writers ; 
but  in  the  first  place  this  article  is  long  enough,  and  in 
the  next  place  the  works  of  the  last  named  authors  are 
accessible  to  all  who  may  wish  to  investigate  this  sub- 
ject further.  My  object  has  been  to  show  that,  in  the 
opinion  of  those  who  have  studied  the  subject,  the  North 
has  a  history,  language  and  literature  deserving  and 
amply  rewarding  some  attention  from  American  stu- 
dents. Of  the  good  or  ill  performance  of  this  task  the 
reader,  whom  I  earnestly  request  carefully  to  consider 
the  contents  of  these  pages,  must  be  the  judge. 


N' 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


OF  TUB 


PRE-COLUMBIAN  DISCOVERIES  OF  AMERICA. 


By  PATIi  BArvKOX  WATSUX. 


These  notes  were  bemin  a;^  an  introduction  to  a  tlicsis  prepared  under 
Dr.  Kinerton,  in  one  of  tlic  iii.^tory  eoiirsos  at  Harvard  CollcL'e.  'I'lie  i)resent 
ess-ay  is  intended  as  a  complete  bil)li().:,'raptiy  of  tiio>f  claims  to  the  discovery 
of  America  before  Columbus  which  are  based  ujjon  documentary  evidence. 
These  claims  are  nine  in  nuMiher  — Chinese  <  t(i*.t),  Northmen  ( in(K)-l.'Jl-), 
Arabs  (about  1125),  Welsh  (llTOi,  Venetians  (13S0i,  rortu<,'uese  (14K.S),  Poles 
(llTGi,  Martin  Behaim  (llWii,  and  Cousin  of  Dieppe  (14H8i.  The  order  of 
arrangement  is  strictly  chronolou'ical.  The  following.'  abl)reviatioiis  have 
been  used:  A:  Augustus;  15 :  Benjamin:  C:  Charles:  D:  David;  ]•::  Kdward; 
F:  Frederick;  G:  George;  II:  Ileury;  I:  Isaac;  .1:  .Jolin:  K:  Karl;  L:  Louis; 
M:Mark;  N:  Nicholas;  0:Otto:  1':  Teter:  I{:  Hiclianh  S:  Samuel;  T:  Thom- 
as; \V:  William;  and  for  the  corresponding  forms  of  these  names  in  other 
languages.  3:  71  means  that  vol.  .3,  p.  71.  of  the  work  mentioned  relates  to  the 
present  subject.  The  following  libraries  liave  been  consult( d,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing order:  Harvard  College  Library  (//.),  Boston  rublic  Library  («/'.), 
Boston  Athcnicum  (IIA.),  Carter-Brown  Library  (C'li.),  British  Museum  {BM.) 
aud  Bibliotheque  Nationale  (BN.) 


I.    DISCOVERY  BY  THE  CIIIXESE. 

Institut  de  France.  Acndenn'e  Jioi/nle  drs  /Nsrrijitions  ct  BeUm- 
TMtres.  IMrinoircs  do  littofaturo.  Paris,  17(51.  28 :  oOO-.V^.').  BP. 
Rc'cherches  stir  los  navigation."*  ties  Chinois  dii  c'6lc  do  rAnioriqiio, 
par  M.  de  Giiignes. 

Says  that  he  finds  in  the  Chinese  histories  mention  made  of  long  vovagc.x, 
which  seem  to  him  to  be  to  j)ortions  of  .America.  He  has  therefore  rollectod 
them  in  this  article.  He  believes  that  they  visited  the  parts  around  California 
and  Mexico  ou  more  than  one  occasion. 

l:il 


122       PKE-C()I.UMI5IAN    DISCOVERIES    OF    AMEUICA. 


Nouvelles  annales  des  voyages.  Paris.  1831.  2(1  sor..  21: 
r^MiS.  Jl.  iifclierchcs  sur  lu  pays  do  Fou  Sung;  pur  II:  J.  von 
Klaprotfi. 

(Jives  the  story  of  \\\v  rhincsc  priist  in  full,  with  a  chart.  He  thinks  it 
iinpossihlo  liiiif  Foil  Saiij^  was  a  part  of  Anu  rica,  and  {.'ivcs  his  reabOiis  at  con- 
Bi''erablo  length. 

Dupaix,  Guillauiiu'.  Aiiti(iiiit('s  mcxicaiiics.  Paris,  1834.  1: 
119-13(5.  J! A.  Ki'dit'ivlios  sui-  Ics  untifiuitt's  dc  rAinerique  dii 
Nord  c't  do  rAiiu'rifjin.'  dii  Slid,  par  I):  I>ailie  Warden. 

A  long  discussion  of  the  Chinese  claim.    Favorable. 

Nipon  ()  dai  itsi  ran.  [A  Proncli  translation,  by  T:  Tctsin^di, 
under  llio  title  of  "Annales  des  einperciirs  du  .lapoii,"  with  an 
"Ap('n;ii  de  I'liistoire  niytliolo<,M(|U(!  du  .Jap()n"l)y  II:  Julius  von 
Klaprotli.     Paris.  1834.     j)p.  iv-ix.     //.j 

Klaproth  here  discusses  quite  fully  tiic  claim  of  De  Guij^'iies,  and  thinks 
that  there  is  no  truth  in  the  story. 

Humboldt,  P:  H :  Alexander  von.  Exatnen  critique  de  Tliis- 
loire  de  la  geograpliie  du  nouveau  continent.  Paris,  1837.  3:  02- 
84.    7/. 

IIun)l)(>l(lt  discusses  very  completely  the  (|uestioi)  of  tlie  discovery  of 
America  by  tiie  Cliinese.  He  grants  that  the  iiioiinnieiits,  divisions  of  liiiie 
and  several  myths  of  the  former  iuliabitaiits  of  .America  otTer  a  striking  aiial- 
opy  to  the  customs  of  eastern  .'vsia,  but  yet  asserts  that  ])e  (JuiL'nes  is  mis- 
taken in  announcing  that  tlie  Chinese  have  known  of  America  since  the  liflh 
century  of  our  era.  He  refers,  in  support  of  his  position,  to  the  article  by 
Klaproth. 

Neumann,  P:  K:  (A  tract  written  in  1841.  in  German,  on  the 
discovery  of  America.)  [An  English  translation,  l)y  C:  G.  Leland, 
piihli.shetl  in  "The  Knickerl)ocker."  New  York,  18i")0,  3(5:301-320, 
under  the  title  of  'California  and  Mexico  in  the  fifth  century."  //. ] 

Makes  several  remarks  about  America  in  the  tifth  century,  taking  as  his 
autliorities  the  C'hinesi!  histories  which  contain  references  to  laiuls  whicli  lie 
thinks  to  i)e  a  i)art  of  America.  This  book  contains,  among  other  things,  the 
account  of  Hoel-Shin,  in  which  the  author  fully  believes. 

Colombo,  Cristoforo.  Select  letters;  edited  by  R:  II:  Major. 
(Ilakluyt  Society.)    London,  1847.     pp.  xi-xii.     //. 

The  introduction,  by  R:  11 :  .Major,  gives  the  account  of  the  Chinese  priest, 
with  the  names  of  the  chief  writers  upon  the  subject. 

Riveio,  ]\Iariano  E:,  ditil  Tschudi,  J:  Jakob  von.  Peruvian 
antiquities.   [An  English  translation.  N.Y.,  1853.  pp.  1(>-17.  BP.] 

Speaks  of  the  Chinese  claim,  which  he  regards  as  probable. 

Domenech,  Em..  Vabbe.  Seven  years'  residence  in  the  great 
deserts  of  North  America.     London,  1800.     1 :  50-52.     BP. 


riiE-COLUMlilAN    DISCOVERIES    OF    AMERICA.        123 


Speaks  of  the  claim  of  the  Chlnesf,  anil  pays  that  Fuyang  has  been  proved 
by  I'aravey  to  Ik-  Mexico. 

Brasseur  de  Bourboiirg,  C :  ttionne,  I'dbbe.  Popol  Vuli.  Parif*, 
18G1.     pp.  xxxix-xli.     H. 

Favorable. 

Continental  monthly.  X.Y.  nnd  Boston,  18G2,  April,  pp. 
.'{91-392,  and  May.  pp.  530-534.  //.  The  Cliinese  tliscovery  of 
Mexico  in  the  fifth  t'cntury.  by  C:  ti.  Lehmd. 

Gives  tiio  account  of  the  Buddhist  j)riest,  and  expresses  the  opinion  that 
the  story  is  true,  utul  that  he  visited  Mexico. 


18()4-G5.      n.s.,   10:  188-201, 


Revue   archeologique.      Paris, 
370-385;  11:  42-49,  273-293.     //. 

In  this  article,  by  (Jnstave  d'Eichthal,  the  question  of  the  Chinese  is  dis- 
cussed very  fully.  In  the  lirst  part  the  article  of  I)eOui>,'nes,  which  d'Kichthal 
considers  conclusive,  is  analyzed;  the  second  treats  of  the  manner  in  whicii 
ISudohism  is  modified  and  propatjated;  the  third  ;,'ives  a  resume  of  the  obser- 
vations of  Humboldt  on  the  civilization  of  Asia  and  America;  and  the  fourth 
treats  of  the  presence  of  Buddhism  among  the  North  American  Indians. 

Gantleman's  magazine.  London,  18(59.  n.s.,  3- 333-335.  //. 
The  discovery  of  America  l)y  the  Chinese,  l)y  C:  Welies. 

Kaises  the  question  whether  the  Chinese  did  not  discover  America  before 
Columbus.  He  fjrives  th"  account  of  IIoeT-Shin,  which  he  seems  to  believe. 
This  article  was  reprinted  in  the  "Historical  nr.igazine,"  Morrisanla,  1869,  yd 
s.,  lViW0-r21. 


Notes   and   queries   on   China   and   Japan. 

1869--..    UP. 


Hong  Kong, 


Y.  J.  N.,  3:  5fi,  says  he  has  seen  in  a  home  paper  that  Neumann  has  found 
that  some  Buddh'st  priests  have  discovered  America.  The  writer  ixirs  to 
submit  il  to  further  eufpiiry.  Theo-.  Sampson,  3:  7H-7U,  attempts  to  show  that 
the  Buddhist  priest  did  not  discover  America.  S.,  1:  lit,  says  that  M.  Leon  de 
Rosny  asserts  that  in  Fusang  deer  and  copper  are  found.  The  writer  argues 
from  this  that  Fusang  must  be  in  the  Arctic  regions  of  America. 

Chinese  recorder  and  missionary  journal.     Foiichovv,  Oct., 

1870.   Fn.sang,  or  who  discovered  America,  l)y  K.  liretschneider.   //. 

A  vi^ry  learned  and  exhaustive  article  favorable  to  the  Chinese  claim. 
Reprinted  in  Lcland's  "Fusang."' 

Rosny,  Leon  do.    VarLt-'s  orieiitales.     Paris,  1872.    p.  80.    //. 
A  brief  description  of  Fusang  is  here  given. 

Galaxy.  X.Y.,  1875.  20:512-514.  //.  Chums  to  the  dis- 
covery of  America,  l)y  J  :  T.  Short. 

Discusses  at  considerable  length  the  Chinese  daim,  and  adds,  "We  are 
more  disposed  to  give  credence  to  the  theory  that  the  Chinese  discovered 
America  at  a  very  early  day  than  to  attach  much  importance  to  the  particular 
account  of  that  discovery  by  Uoel-Shin." 


124 


rUK-COLUMIJIAN    DISCOVEKIES    OF    AMERICA. 


liOland,  C:  G.  Fusanj;,  or  the  discovery  of  America  by  Cliiiuse 
Tiuddliisl  priests  in  the  fifth  century.     London,  1875.     J}p. 

Contents.    Prrfaco;  Aiemoirof  Prof,  f:  F:  Neuiiifinn;  Niirriitivc  of  Ilori 
Shin,  witli  coiitfiits  by  Prof.  Nciitnaiin;  lieinarks  on  the  toxt  of  Prof.  Ncii 
niaiMi;   I.tttcr  from  Col.  Itarclay  KtMinon  on  tlie  navij.;ati<)n  of  tlu-  North 
Pacific  Ocean;  American  antitjuitics,  with  tlicir  relations  to  the  Old  World; 
Advocate.**  and  onponcntH  of  the  narrative  of  lIoeT-Shin;  Latest  diticusbion  of 
Fusaiifj;;  Aitpenuix;  Index. 

Tile  narrative  of  lloel-Shin  here  Riven  is  a  translation  of  Ncum.inn's 
work.  The  letter  from  Co).  Kennon  «'xpresses  the  opinion  that  the  alle^'ed 
voyage  of  the  Uiiddhist  priest  is  easily  practicable.  Leiand  speaks  of  the 
similarity  between  tlie  Dakota  and  Asiatic  lanuuaj,'es,  and  thinks  this  shows 
that  the  Dakota  tribe  came  orii;inally  from  Asia.  II('  does  not  think  that  the 
IJuddhist  priest  cam*'  in  contact  with  tlie  Monnd- Builders,  but  Inlieves  that 
he  visited  Mexico.  This  book  contains  a  very  complete  summary  of  llie  views 
of  different  writers. 

Congres  International  des  Americanistes.  Compte-rendu 
dc  l.'i  1'^  session,     Nancy  and  Paris,  1875.     1: 114-103.     BP. 

In  this  article,  by  Liicieii  Adam,  the  question  of  the  Chinese  claim  is 
treated  at  considerable  length,  with  the  advocates  of  wliicli  claim  the  writer 
aj^rees.  A  map  of  (he  route  of  the  Chinese  and  engravings  of  some  bas-reliefs 
are  addetl. 

Bryant,  W:  Cidlen,  and  Gay,  Sidney  Howard.  Poj)uhir  his- 
tory of  the  United  States.     N.Y.,  187(5.     1:85-87.     //. 

Gives  (he  account  of  (he  Buddhist  i)riest,  referring  to  Humboldt  and 
Leiand  as  his  authorities,  .\fter  discussing  brielly  (he  probability  that  the 
story  is  true,  he  says  that  it  is  too  indefinite. 

Bancroft,  Hubert  Howe.  Tlie  native  races  of  the  Pacific  states 
of  Nortii  America.     N.Y.,  1870.    5:33-87.     //. 

The  account  of  IIoeT-Shin  is  here  given  in  full,  with  the  authorKies  upon 
which  it  rests.  Tlie  autlior  does  not  express  any  opinion  on  the  subject,  out 
gives  (juotadons  from  some  of  its  supporters  and  opponents. 

Short,  J:  T.  The  North  Americans  of  antiquity.  N.Y.,  1879. 
pp.  148-151.     //. 

Same  views  as  those  expressed  by  the  author  in  the  "Galaxy,"  1875. 

Williams,  S:  Wells,  Notices  of  Fu-sanj?  and  other  countries 
lyiii'!:  east  of  China,  in  the  Pacific  Ocean.     New  Haven,  1881. 

I  nfavorable:  written  t-i  controvert  Leland's  publications;  contains  trans- 
ladous  from  the  antiquiirian  researches  of  Ma  Twan-liii,  in  the  13th  and  Mth 
centurii's,  l)ut  identities  his  "  Fu-sang"  with  the  "Loo-choo"  Islands  rather 
than  with  America.  This  article  was  also  published  in  the  "Journal  of  the 
American  Oriental  Society,"  \.  11,  1881. 


n.     DISCOVERY  BY  THE  NORTHMEN. 

Adamus  Brememiy.  Gesta  Hanimabiirf^ensis  Ecclesiae  Pontifi- 
cum.  Written  in  1075,  [Published  at  Hamburj;,  1840,  in  v.  7  of 
Pertz,  "Monumenta  Oermaniae  historica,"  cap.  247.     //.] 


riiK-CULUMIHAN    DISCOVEKIKS    OF    AMERICA. 


125 


SiiyH  (hat  Swcyii  Kstrythsoii,  Kiiii;  of  nciiPiMrk,  (old  him  of  ii  Innil  in  the 
o('i'(ui,"c(illt'ii  WiiiliuKi;  that  it  was  so  caili'il  hccausu  viiicH  grow  wild  there, 
from  vvliich  an  rxcilh  iit  wine  was  obtained. 

Ordericus  Vitalis.  Ilistoriiie  Kcck'siast  k-ac  libri  (rcdecim. 
Written  about  1140.     [An  cditio.i,  Pjiris,  1852.     4:  I'D.     If.] 

Says  that  the  Orraih-s  and  Finland,  as  well  as  Iceland,  Greenland  and 
several  other  lands,  even  in  (ioUand,  are  tsuhject  to  the  kin^'  of  Norway.  This 
Finland  la  perhaps  Viuland. 

Snorri  Sturleson.  llciinskriiif;!!!.  Written  in  1215.  (An  Knpf- 
lish  trtmslat ion,  with  jd'cliininiii y  dissortiition,  liyS:  Laiiij^',  lioiidon, 
1844,  nndor  the  title  of  "The  Sea  Kings  of  Norway."  1 :  141-1H7, 
4G5;  3:344-301.     7/.] 

Chai».  5  is  devoted  to  the  discovery  of  Greenland  and  America  hy  the 
Northmen,  in  whicli  the  author  fnlly  l)elieves.  Two  eniL^ravin^i^  of  the  hi^di- 
toii  Koek  are  added  At  1 :  Iti.'!,  the  chronicle  says  that  l.eif  '•  found  V'iuland 
the  Good."  Here  liain^'  remarks:  "Tin-re  are  eight  chapters  here  in  I'er- 
int,'skiold"8  edition  of  the  lleimskrinj^la  which  relate  to  the  discovery  of  Vin- 
land,  and  are  taken  from  the  C^odex  Flatoyensis,  hut  are  not  in  tl:e  manuscripts 
of  the  lleimskrinKlii  known  to  the  Danish  anti(iuaries.  They  are  supoo-ed  to 
have  been  an  interpolation  in  the  manuscript  wliich  I'eringskiold  ha<l  before 
him,  Imt  which  ia  not  to  be  found."  In  3:34J-301,  these  eight  chapters  are 
trunuluted  in  full. 


Do  origine  gentiiiin  Arnericananini  dissor- 
[Aii   ed.   pub.   in    IVtriis   Albiims'   ''('oni- 
rinis  attiiie  insiilis  ignotis."    Vitobergao, 


■reg 


Qrotius,  Hugo, 
tatio.     Ainst.,   1042. 
mcntatio  do  lingius  p^ 
1714.     p.  35).     JiM. 

Says  he  thinks  that  almost  all  those  people  al)ont  the  Isthmus  of  Panama 
arc  descended  from  the  Norwegians;  but  it  appears  to  have  been  merely  his 
conjecture. 

Laet,  J:  do.  Notao  ad  dissortationem  Ilugonis  Grotii  do 
origine  gentium  Amerieanarmu.    Pari.siis,  1643.    pp.  iOl-103.    If. 

Says  that,  in  1121,  Krik  went  in  search  of  the  island  of  Vinland,  and  died 
in  the  attempt,  an<l  that  in  KKH)  Leif,  Krik's  son,  converted  Grei'iiland  to 
Christianity.  Laet  opposis  (Jrotius"  opinion  that  America  was  peopled  by 
the  Norwegians,  but  it  does  not  seem  to  occur  lo  him  that  Vinland  was  a  part 
of  America. 

Montanus,  Aniohlus.  De  nicuwe  en  onbekendo  wcereld. 
Amst.,  1671.     p.  28-31.     II. 

Favorable. 

Rudbeck.  Olf.  Atland  cllcr  Manhoim,  Athmtica  sive  Mtm- 
heiin.     Upsahie,  1089.     1:21)1-292.     JiM. 

Says  that  Adamus  Bremeusis  is  mistaken  in  asserting  the  existence  of  a 
place  called  Vinland. 

Oampanius,  T:.  of  Holm.  Kort  l)eskrifning  om  provincion 
1m  ya  Swerige  uti  America.    Stockholm,  1702.    [English  truiisla- 


120       PKK-COLUMniAN    DISCOVERIKS    OF    AMP:KICA. 


tion,  under  the  title  of    "  Description  of  the    Province  of  New 
Sweck'n,"  by  P:  S.  du  Ponceau.     I'hihi.,  l«34.     pp.  38-31.     //,] 

(fives  briclly  tho  account  of  the  Northmen,  Avhich  the  author  is  inclined 
to  believe. 

Torfaous,  Thorinodus.  Ilistoriii  Vinlandiae  antiquao.  Ilavniac, 
1705.     //. 

C-'ontalns  a  comnleto  hJHlory  of  the  discover}'  of  V'inlnnd.  as  fallen  from 
MSS.  found  in  tiic  nbraries  of  the  North.  Theanthor  does  not  attempt  to 
identify  tiie  places,  excei)l  that  Vinland  was  in  North  America. 

Torfaeus,  Thorinodus.  Gronlandia  anti(iua.  ll.avniae,  1700. 
[An  edition,  llavniae,  1715.     Chap.  3:  1(5-17.     TW.] 

Ctives  the  following  extract  from  Ari:— "Inde  colligi  potest,  id  genus 
gonteni  illic  permeasse,  quae  Vinlandiani  incoluit,  quam  tiraenlandi  Skrae- 
lingia  ai)pellant." 

Mallet,  Paid  II:  Introduction  a  I'histoire  dt^  Danncmarc. 
Copeidiai^on,  1755.  [An  Knjj;lish  transhition,  uiuler  tiie  title  of 
"Ncrthern  anticiuities,"  v.  1:  ch.  11.     JL] 

After  discussing  at  considerable  length  the  discovery  of  America,  ho  says, 
"There  can  l)e  no  dout)t  l)ut  that  tlie  Nor\V(!gian  (Jreenlanders  discovered  the 
American  continent;  tliat  the  placi'  wlicre  tiiey  settled  was  eillier  the  country 
of  Lal)rador  or  Nc^wfoundland,  and  that  thciir  colony  subsisted  there  a  good 
while."  In  an  edition  by  J.  A.  lilackwell,  Ltnidou,  1847,  pn.  241-27(1.  the 
"Antiquitates  Americanie"  has  been  made  use  of,  and  much  additional  infor- 
mation is  given. 

Crantz,  D:  Historic  von  Groidand.  Barbv  1705.  [An  En.c;- 
lish  translation.     London,  1767.     1:  341-357.  "  i?/*.] 

" 'Tis  probable  that  those  Indians  at  present  nbout  Newfoundland,  who 
are  so  very  different  in  their  shape  and  manner  of  living  from  the  other 
Americans,  may  be  descended  from  the  Northmen." 

Schoning,  Gerhard.  Norj^es  Riges  historic.  Soroe,  1709. 
[An  edition  published  l)y  P:  F:  Suhin.  Kj()benhavn,  1781.  3: 
414-423.     II.  \ 

Gives  the  discovery  of  Vinland  at  considerable  length,  and  believes  it  to 
be  a  part  of  America. 

Franklin,  B:  Letter  to  ^Ir.  Mather,  Julv  7,  1773.  (fn  Jiin 
Works,  ed.  by  .Tared  Sptirks,  Boston,  1839.     8:'  68-69.    //.) 

Says  that  Kalm,  about  2,5  years  since,  drew  up  a  note  of  the  discovery  of 
America  by  the  Northnum,  aiid  gave  it  to  him.  tranklin  adds  that  "the  cir- 
cumstances give  the  account  a  great  appearance  of  authenticity."  He  thinks, 
too,  that  the  country  they  visited  was  southward  of  New  England. 

Burnet,  James  [Lord  IMonboddo],  Of  the  origin  and  progress 
of  language.  Edin.,  1773.  [Sd  ed.  Edin.  1774.  pp.  590-591, 
ii<>(('.     II. 

Favorable. 


I'KK-COLUMBIAN    UISCOVEKIES    OK    AMERICA. 


127 


Robertson,  W : 
-439.     //. 


Ilistoi'v  of  America.     Loiuloii,  1777.     1 :  438 


In  note  xvii,  Robertson  confesses  hia  inability  to  cxinnine  the  literature 
of  the  North,  aiidduiibts  the  triitli  of  the  story;  but  tiiiiiks,  that,  if  the  Nor- 
wegians landed  in  Aniericu  at  all,  they  probably  did  so  at  Newfoundland. 

Sprengel,  Matthias  Christiaji.  (K'schichty  tier  Europiier  in 
Nonlaiiierika.     Loipzij?,  1782.     \)\).  139-130.     //. 

Favorable;  thinks  they  went  as  far  south  as  North  Carolina. 

Filson,  J:  Thi*  discovorv,  scttlonient,  and  present  state  of 
Kentucky.     Wilniin<;t()n,  1784.     [jp.  1)4-95.     7/. 

Here  the  author  mentions  that  the  Danes  art  recorded  to  have  discovered 
a  land  railed  Vinland  •  he  adds,  "The  remains  of  this  colony  are  probably  to 
be  found  on  *he  coast  of  Labrador." 

Porster,  J:  Iteinlioldt.  Geschichte  der  Kntdeckiuif^en  iind 
Sehiffahrten  iin  Norden.  Frankfurt.  1784.  [An  p]nf;iisli  trans- 
lation, under  tlie  title  of  "History  of  vovaijes  and  discoveries  in 
the  Nortii."     London,  1780.     i)p.  44-88.  '  JJ.] 

Forster  1,'ives  the  account  of  the  Northmen,  and  thinks  that  Vinland  was 
in  Newfoundland  or  on  the  coast  north  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 

Pennant,  T:  Introduction  to  tiie  Arct'c  zoology.  London, 
1787.     [2d  ed.,  London,  1792.     pp.  204-205.     //.] 

Favorable. 

American  musaeum.  Phila.,  1789.  G:  159-163.  II.  Ac- 
counts of  the  discovery  of  Vinland,  or  America,  by  the  Iceland- 
ers, in  the  11th  century,  taken  from  Mallet's  Northern  anti(piities, 
volume  1. 

A  translation  of  a  part  of  the  account  given  by  Mallet.  It  was  to  have 
been  continued,  but  apparently  was  not. 


Belknap,  Jeremy. 
47-58.     //. 


American   biography.     Boston,   1794.     1; 


Belknap  takes  his  account  entirely  from  Pontoi)pidan,  Crantz  and  Fors- 
ter. His  opinion  is:  '*Th()u>;li  we  can  come  to  no  positive  conclusion  in  a 
question  of  such  anti(iuity,  yet  there  arc  many  circumstances  to  contlrm,  and 
none  to  disprove,  the  relation  given  of  the  voyages  of  Biron." 

Eggers,  H:  P:  von.  Ueber  die  wahre  lage  des  alten  Ostgron- 
lands.     Kiel,  1794.     pp.  84-96.     //. 

Uncertain. 

Fritsch,  J:  Gottlob.  Disputatio  historico-geographica  in  f^ua 
quaeritur  utrum  veteres  Americam  noverint  necne.  Cur.  K«.gnit., 
1796.     pp.  17-21.     n. 

Contains  a  brief  account  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  the  Northmen. 


i 


II 


1 1 


128       l'KE-(JOLUMUIAN    DISCUVKKIKS    oF    AMEKrOA. 


The  author  helicves  Hint  the  fitory  \n  true,  ami  thinks  that  they  Innded  in 
Canada  or  Carolina. 

Boucher  de  la  Richarderie,  (lilies.  BibliolliLMjiie  utiivoi'sollc 
«lrs  voyiij;vs.     I'aris,  1808.     l:4;}-r)l.     Jf. 

Ciivcs  a  partial  l)il)liograi)liy  of  the  (liscovurleB  of  the  Northmen,  with  a 
brief  account  of  the  discovery  of  Vinland. 

Annales  des  voyages.  Paris,  1810.  10:50-87.  //.  Taldcnu 
hist()fi(jiu'  (k's  (It'coiivertes  geographi(iues  des  Scandinaves  on  Nor- 
inands,  par  Malto-Brun. 

In  favor  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  the  Northmen.  Contains  nn 
exact  copy  of  the  map  of  the  Zeno  brothers,  with  one  showing  the  discov- 
erles  of  the  Northmen. 

Williamson,  Hugh.  Ili.story  of  North  Carolina.  Phila.,  1812. 
1:  4-8,  2i;J-2l5.     JJ. 

Speaks  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  the  Northmen  as  an  established 
fact,  and  gives  the  account  at  some  length,  referring  to  Mallet  and  Torfieus. 

Pinkerton,  J:  A  general  collection  of  tlie  host  and  most  inter- 
esting voyages  and  travels  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  London,  1814. 
17:  xxiii-xxiv.     //. 

The  Northmen  "discovered  Vinland,  which  seems  to  have  been  a  part  of 
Newfoundland." 

McCullock,  James  H.     Researches  on  America.     Baltimore, 
181G.    pp.  8-11.    BP. 
Unfavorable. 

Miiller,  P:  Erasmus.  Sagabibliothek.  Copenhagen,  1816-20. 
[A  (Jerman  translation  of  the  first  part,  by  Lachmann,  Berlin, 
1810,  entitled  " Sagenbil)liothek  des  skandinavisehen  Alterthums 
in  Ansziigen."    pp.  213-215.     //. 

Here  is  given  a  synopsis  of  the  Saga  of  Erik  the  Red  and  Thorfinn  Karls- 
cfne,  which  Mtiller  says  is  not  older  than  the  14th  century.  References  arc 
also  given  to  other  Sagas  which  mention  the  discovery  of  \  Inland. 

Malte-Brun,   Conrad.     Precis  de  la  geographic    universelle. 
Paris,  1817.     p.   224.    //. 
Favorable. 

Svea.  Up'^^ala,  1818.  1 :  197-226.  Gm  Skandinavcrnes  Pordna 
Upptilcktsrcsor  till  Xordamerica,  ved  J :  H :  Schrikler.     UP. 

Treats  of  the  discovery  of  Vinland,  which  he  believes  to  have  been  a  part 
of  North  America. 

Barrow,  Sir  J :  Chronological  history  of  voyages  to  the  Arctic 
Regions.     London,  1818.     pp.  1-13.     //. 

Believes  that  Vinland  was  either  Labrador  or  Newfoundland. 


PRE-OOLUMHIAiN    IHSUUVERIE8    OF    AMKUICA.        121) 


Henderson,  ElxMiczor.  Icoland.  Kilin.,  1818.  [An  od.  at 
Iloston,  18^1.     pp.  15-17.     //.J 

The  nutlior  cayH  with  pi'ifoct  coii(lil«'iK'f,  "To  the  Ici'hiii(UTH  bek)iigH  the 
hunur  of  belny  the  llrnt  iliccoverers  of  Amerliii  and  (Jreeiilund." 

Tates,  J:  V.  N.,  and  Moulton,  Joseph  White.  History  of  the 
State  of  New  Yolk.     N.  V..  1824.     1:110-125.     //. 

T!ic  discoverii'H  of  the  Northmen  arc  here  tliscuHsed  at  ^reat  length.  Tlie 
author  cites  chielly  tiu-  worlds  of  Forster,  lk'lkiia|),  and  SlirOder,  and  helioves 
tliat  New  York  was  a  part  of  V inland. 

Irving,  Washiiij^toii.  History  of  tlie  life  and  voyages  of  Chris- 
topher Columbus.     London,  1828.     4:  2i;]-217.     //. 

Here  Irvlnp  referH  to  Malte-nrun  and  Forster,  and  confesses  his  own 
ignorance  of  tlie  siii)ject.  He  deems  tlie  claims  iniprohaiile,  however.  In 
the  edition  of  XXiA  he  had  changed  his  mind,  and  says.  "There  is  no  great 
improbability  that  such  enteri)rising  and  roving  voyagers  as  the  Scandina- 
vians nniy  have  wandered  to  tlie  northern  shores  of  America,  about  the  coast 
of  Labrador,  or  the  nhorcs  of  Newfoundland. 


Murray,  Ilnj^h. 
in  North  America. 


Historical  account  of  discoveries  and  travels 
London,  182!).     1:  i;J-28.     H. 


Murray,  after  giving  the  account  at  great  length,  remarks.  "  I  agree  with 
all  the  northern  writers,  tliat  the  voyages  to  Vinland  were  real  voyages;  but 
that  Vinland  was  America,  is  a  question  respecting  whicli  i  entertain  the 
greatest  possible  doubt." 

Cooley,  W:  Dc.sl)orough.    The  history  of  maritime  and  inland 

discovery.     (Lardner's  Cabinet  cyclopa'dia.)    London,    1830.     1: 

215-221.     II. 

Cooley  says,  "It  is  impossible  to  shake  the  authenticity  of  these  plain  and 
circumstantial  accounts,  and  it  is  likewise  difticult,  if  not  impossible,  to 
acknowledge  their  genuine  character  without  admitting  at  the  same  time 
that  Vinland  was  in  Newfoundland,  or  else  on  tlie  continent  of  North  Amer- 
ica."   This  book  was  reprinted  in  the  "  Edinburgh  cabinet  library." 

Wheaton,  H:  History  of  the  Northmen.  Phila.,  1831,  ch. 
2.    //. 

Wheaton  expresses  no  doubt  of  the  fact  that  the  Northmen  discovered 
America.    He  thinks,  too,  that  Vinland  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 


Histoire  des 
BP.] 


Same.    [A  French  translation  by  Paul  Guillot. 
peuplcs  du  Nord.     Paris,  1844.     pp."  22-41.  483-304. 

In  this  edition,  supervised  by  the  author,  the  account  is  given  at  greater 
length,  and  a  view  of  the  Dighton  Rock,  the  inscription  on  which  MTieaton 
attributes  to  the  Northmen,  is  added. 

Oraah,  W.  A.  Understtgelsos-reise  til  Ostkysten  af  Grimland. 
KjObenhavn,  1832.  BM.  [An  English  translation  under  the  title 
of  "Narrative  of  an  expedition  to  the  east  coast  of  Greenland." 
London,  1837.     p.  3.     CB.\ 

Favorable. 


s. 


130       IMtK-COLUMBlAN    DISCO VEltlKS    OF    AMEUICA. 


Leslie,  J:,  Jameson,  Kohort,  and  Murray,  Un^U.  Xarrativo 
of  (liscovtTV  ami  lulvcnlures  in  the  I'olar  Seas  uikI  ltc<,M(nis.  N. 
v..  ih;w.    p.  H7.    //. 

Mt'iitioiiH  ciiHiially  tliut  "  (liiiiiii;  the  11th  ((ntury  cliaiuc  or  ciitcrprlMc  led 
Orcciilaiiii  iiavijTutoi'H  Hoiitliwiinl  to  aiiollirr  coiisl,  wliii-li  tlit<y  callnl  \'in- 
laiid,  and  wliicli  lia."  In-cii  vtiry  trciuriilly  ludii'Vid  to  In-  AmiTiiii.""  Thi;y  nay 
fiirthiT,  that  aftiT  a  cari'fiil  cxaiiiinatioii  of  tlir  aiitliorititx  on  ,. !i!'.!i°  VAti 
opinion  rc-Hts.  tlu-y  liavc  l)i;cn  led  to  Hni»|»o)*L'  tiiat  tlic  nrw  country  wan 
nitridy  u  more  Konthorn  point  of  Circcnlanti. 

Priest,  Josiah.  Anu'ricau  jiiiti(iiiitie.s,  ami  discoveries  in  the 
West.     AILany,  18;«.     pp.  224-240.     //. 

Fuvoraldt!. 

Dupaix,  (fuillamno.  Antiquiten  inexicaiiu's.  Paris,  1834.  vol. 
1,  no.  J),     pp.  4H-4!).     liA. 

A  favorable  articli",  by  Fran^'oix  Charli-s  Farcy. 

Dupaix,  (iiiillaiitne.  AMti(|iiilt's  mexicaiiios.  Reoherclies  stir 
les  ant i(|iiil('s  de  rAim'ri»|m'  ihi  Xonl  et  de  rAn»eri(pu'  <lu  Sud,  par 
D:  Bailie  Warden.     Paris,  1834.     1:  i.p.  146-154.     JJA. 

Favorable. 


Bancroft,  FIou.  G: 
1834.     1 : .')-(}.     //. 


Ilistorv  of  the  United   States.     Boston, 


Bancroft  mentions  the  clainin  of  tho  Northmen,  and  gives  a  list  of  tlie 
chief  works  which  support  these  claims,  i)ut  consid 
vague,  as  well  aw  llcfitious  or  exM^'j,'enited. 


gives 
llie  w 


hole  story  as 


Rafinesque,  C'onstantine  Snialtz.  The  American  nations. 
Phila.,  1830.     2:280-281.     //. 

Favorable, 

Humboldt,  F:  II:  Alexander  von.  Examcn  critique  de  I'his- 
toire  de  la  geographic  dii  nouveau  continent.  Paris,  1837.  1:  84- 
104.     //. 

Ilnmboldt  gives  a  synopsis  of  the  evidence  mtained  in  the  Icelandic 
Sagas,  and  asserts  with  great  confidence  that  the  Northmen  discovered 
America;  he  also  believes  that  the  parts  v  !Mch  they  visited  were  between 
New  York  and  Newfoundland. 

Kongelige  Nordiske  Oldskrift  Selskab.  Antiquitatcs  Ameri- 
eanae,  sive  Seriptores  Septentrionales  reruin  Antc-Colunibianaruni 
in  iVmerica.     Havniae,  1837.     //. 

Contents.  Praefatio;  Conspectus  codicnm  membraneorum  in  qnibus 
terrarum  Americanarum  mentio  fit;  Abstract  of  the  historical  evi(lence; 
Narrationes  de  Eiriko  Rufo  et  Oraenlandis;  Historia  Thorflnni  Karlsefnii  et 
Snorrii  Thorbrandi  tilii;  Breviores  relationes;  Annotationes  geographicae; 
Addenda  et  cmendanda;  Index  chronologicus ;  Index  personarum;  Index 
geograpbicus ;  Index  rcrum;  Qcnealogiae;  Plates. 


rRE-UoLUMIUAN    DISCoVKIilES    OF    AMKKICA. 


KU 


Thf  (»l)jt;rt  wiiK  to  provo  timt  tlio  Nortlimon  tlinrovon'd  Amorira,  funl  the 
nccdimt  of  their  dlHcovcrlcs  1h  {;lvt'n  In  full,  n^'  found  in  the  njaiin^jcrlptx  of 
tin-  Noilli.  'I'lif  siipiioMcd  rt'iniiiiif<  of  ttu-  Nortlinii-n  in  thi-*  country  aro  aNo 
di«iU(*s(!d  lit  li-n^th.  Ainony  tlic  |)liiti'?'  art'  f.ic  finiiU's  of  parts  of  tlif  anrifnt 
niunu!4C'ri|its,  vicwH  of  tlu-  Di^liUm  Hock,  and  maps  of  Indand  uud  Viidund. 

Democratic  review.  Wash..  WAS.  2:  85-90.  l4.'}-ir)8.  //. 
Tlie  iliscovery  of  AiiK-rifii  by  the  Nortlimcii.  l»y  AlfXiimU'r  Kvcn'tt. 

Till'  historical  I'vidcnco  Is  coiisideri'd,  and  the  dilTcrcnt  opinions  on  the 
Rubjt'ct  arc  disc  UHHcd,  The  author  Is  in  donl)t  about  the  Di^liton  Hock,  and 
believes  that  tlie  Nurthincii  settled  in  MasHnchuHetts  and  Rhode  Island. 

Foreign  quarterly  review.  Loiidoii.  1838.  21:89-118.  //. 
Till'  (liscovofy  of  Aiucrii'ii  l»y  tltc  NoflliiiU'ii,  licfoiv  C'oliiiiihtis. 

This  article  Is  much  the  samc!  us  that  in  the  "  Deniocratic  review,"  but  Ih 
at  greater  •"iitjth,  uud  the  writer  speaks  of  the  discoveries  of  the  Northmen 
us  u  ceiiuinty. 

North  American  review.  Boston.  1838.  40:  101-203,  //. 
The  (liseovory  of  Amoricau  l)y  the  Norihim'ii,  by  E:  Everett. 

The  writer  here  discusses  at  considerable  length  tht;  proliability  of  the 
discovery,  us  well  us  the  autlienticity  of  tlu'  accounts,  und  remarks,  *•  While 
we  are  decidedly  of  opinicni  tluit  the  ancient  Icelandic  accounts,  to  which  we 
have  called  tlie  attention  of  our  readers,  liave  a  lonnilatlon  in  historical  trutli, 
and  tiiat  the  coast  of  North  America,  und  very  i)ossil)ly  this  nortlon  of  it,  was 
visited  by  the  Northmen,  we  deem  it  exceedingly  doubtful  wiiether  they  made 
any  permanent  Hettlement  on  the  continent." 

New  York  review.     N.  Y.,  1838.     2:352-357.     HP. 

The  "Antiquitates  Americamu"  is  reviewed,  and  tlie  whole  question  is 
discussed,  tlie  chief  writers  on  the  subject  being  referred  to  The  writer 
fully  believes  that  the  Northnu!n  discovered  America,  but  is  inclined  to  think 
that  the  Old  Mill  und  the  inscription  of  the  Dighton  Uock  are  not  their  work. 

Royal  Geographical  Society.  Journal.  London,  1838.  8: 
114-129.     H. 

An  abstract  of  the  historical  evidence  contained  in  the  "Antiquitates 
Araericanie,"  in  which  the  writer  fully  believes. 

Biondelli,  B.  Scoportn  dell' America  fatta  nel  socolo  x.  da 
alcuni  Scandinavi.     Milan,  1839.     H. 

A  small  pamjihlet,  in  which  is  1,'iven  u  somewhat  condensed  account  of 
the  discovery  of  Vinland,  taken  from  the  "Ar.ti(iuHates  Americanie." 

Smith,  Joshua  Toulmin.  The  Northmen  in  New  England,  or 
America  in  the  tenth  century.     Boston,  1839.     //. 

This  book  contuins  un  nccount  of  the  Northmen,  put  in  the  form  of  con- 
versation. The  questions  of  the  Old  Mill  und  the  Dighton  Rock  are  also  dis- 
enssed.  both  of  which  the  author  attributes  to  the  Nortlimen.  A  map  of 
Vinland  is  added. 


American  Biblical  repository. 
2d  ser.,  1:430-449.     H. 


N.  Y.  and  Boston,  July,  1839. 


la-j 


I'KK  I'Ol.lMr.lAN     HISI'OVKUIKS    OK     AMIKU  A. 


\\\  II:  U.  Sfhuohrnfl  tJlvi-s  tlio  Pnvtpoiliic  t^«slU'^l  by  thr  Kovrtl  Soi'ioly 
of  N-  tlu-rn  .\nlliiu«rl:ui'«;  IIhm\  tho  »iu«'stloii  of  lln'  tll«io\«ry  Is  ilUiUtisod 
(wlit«'li  tin  «  rllcr  l>rlti'>  1-^*  !»inl  ;»  \  ii'\\  of  tlic  I'tglilou  Kock  if<  juUli'il  itlii<nv;li 
111-  nx!»iiU  tl\i' iiisiTijilii'u  !»s  Ali;ir>;  :ii\il  lluiill.  !» 'ollor  is  uImm  fivuu  Alhrit 
lJ;»lliUln,  on  tlio  uso  of  tl\«"  K-tlirs  v  ixud  I  in  Hu>  KskIui.iu  ljviii;u:i;;r 


Isl, 


RuRKoll,   liti:    y\w\\iw\.     li'i'lanil.   (hx-onl.-iinl.   mid    l\\o    Va 


IMO 


Iviiii..   IS-IO.     (I'Miiiluiru'li   i(»l>im>t    lil>ijuy.)     j>p.  'JM  'J(»(5. 


.•I.     (Also  in  llHrjHM-'s  fatiiily  li\tn»rv.  N.  V..  1811.) 

tUvt'd  tl\o  ticooimt  of  tlvo  tllscovfi y  o(  Vinljiiul,  !>nil  mlds.  "Tho  history  of 
\'inl:mtl  i;i\«Mi  iis  l<y  thr  U'clmulli'  his!«<rl;»ns  tt«  lulcroslitu;,  not  mutoIs  ;«s 
I'oiuii'tloil  Willi  tho  i-onntrli's  of  whloh  wo  jiro  now  trositini;,  Imt  :is  pitivin^ 
th.'il  Atnoilofi  WHS  kni<\\n  lo  Knroiionns  llvo  hnnilroti  vomvs  l>ofi>io  llio  (ioiiooso 


uiitrinor  sot  fi>ot  njum  Its  shor»"s 


BoAtniNh,  North  Ididiow.  Disi'ovs'fy  of  AmiMion  l\v  tlio  Niulli- 
IU«M\.      l.oiul(>ii.  \^i\.      U. 

(\)>ifi'>its.  Skotoh  of  iho  itso,  iMiilnonoo  juiii  o\tltiotii>n  «>f  looljiiuUo  liis 
torio.d  Utoralnio;  S;ii;n  of  ICitk  llu>  Kod;  s.i!',;i  of  Thoitlnn  K:»rls(-fn«' .  iJoo 
^;i:n>liio;«l  nolloos;  Moitnnionts  ami  InsorlpliiMis  ;  Minor  n!Ut;ili\  os;  roini'lolo 
iii:U  of  tlio  nnoiont  Norltnnon;  tiono:ilo!;io;(l  t;>l>U>,  Mnp  of  \  inl:»iMl;  Ku 
j;r.»\  in>;  of  tho  insorl\>lli>n  on  tho  Piijhton  Kook  ;  «ionor:i!  ohjivl  of  Ihi' tlt'-o>>\ 
onosof  tho  Nortlnnon  in  Iho  Arolii-  Uor.ions  i>f  Aiuoiioa;  In>lo\. 

This  Is  hlUo  nioro  than  an  l"nj-.lisl\  fianslalion  of  Ihoso  pads  of  Iho  "An 
ti()nitalos   Anu-rioana'"  whioli  Iho   anlln>r  o«>nsl»loiO(l  woio   iikoly  to  jnxxo 
most  n>toroslin>;  to  Hrllish  niniois, 

Mnlto-Brun,  Coni-ml.     Hooirt-apliio   tmiviMsoUi*.     Taris,    ISIl. 

(Jivos  at  somo  lonjjth  thi  aioonnl  of  tt\o  ilisoov»My  of  \  inland,  ami  rojjaiils 
it  as  Ix-yoml  ilonhl  that  Vt'ilainl  was  a  pari  of  Ni>vth  Anioiloa. 

Wilholmi,  l\  :  Island.  Iluiiramannaland.  (St^'^nljind.  tntd  \in- 
land.     Ih-idollu'iir.  ISr.\     ('/.'. 

Uasoil  npon  tho  "Aniliinilalos  Ainoii<-ann,"     WilltiMi  in  support  of  tho 
Novthinon's  I'.ain),     Tontains  a  ohavl  of  ihi'lr  disooxiMios,  i>|(<iitif\  inv;  llollii 
land  with  Nowfonndland.  Markland  wilh  porltons  of   No\a  Soot^a,  \  inland 
with  Now    ICni;iand  and  Now  York,  and  Mnltrainann.'Uanvl  witn  tlu>  ooaxt  I'f 
Oooifjia  and  tl.o  tarotinas. 

Hormos,  K:  II:  Hio  I'^ntdockmiir  V(>tj  .Xincrioa  dnn-li  dii' 
IslilndiT  iin  /olmti'n  nnd  i-ilftiMi  .l.-thrhnntliMt.  MtannsihwtMc. 
IHIJ.      /{/'. 

Contains  in  dolall  tho  aooonnf  of  tho  Northtuon,  tho  "AiitlqnltJitos  Amor 
loana'"  l)oini^;  froipionlly  loforr^'d  to.  An  oiu'.ra\ini;  of  tho  Hh;hton  Ki>ok  is 
also  viivon,  iho  iiisorlplion  on  whioh  tho  author  holioNOs  to  ho  •'.»  '  ork  «>f  tho 
Nortlunon. 

Huml>oldt.,  I'':  II:  AloxandtM-  von.  Kosnios.  Sttjtti;.  u.  'VWh.. 
IS15.  [An  Knj^lish  lfansl.itii>n,  nndor  lln>  titio  t>f  "I'osntos." 
liondon.  18IS>.     t:  (HK?  (U)S.     //.  | 

tHv<  s  tho  aoooinit  of  thoiMsoovory  of  Vlnl.uw!.  «n»l  roforn  to  his  "  K\an»on 
crltWiuo"  for  t^lrthor  partlonlars 


IM.'«:  t'Ol.lMniAN    nisroVKKMKS    ov    amkkioa. 


laa 


Oolomho,  rristiifi>n>.  St'loi!  lott«M-s:  ihI.  by  K:  H:  Major. 
OlakluM  Socu'ty.)     I.oiuliMi.  ISIi.     pp.  \ii  \xi.     //. 

Thi"  tdllor.  \\  [\  Major.  i;l\os  :\\\  ;u»>Minl  of  tho  iHsot^vory  of  Vhtl.-ito), 
mill  .'Ulils,  '■  No  room  is  left  for  iliMpiiiui!;  Uw  lu.'iin  f:»i't  of  ll\i>  liUoovcry," 
111- ;»lso  iii:»Wi-s  llu"    -aiwo  lil«ntllU:vlloi\  of  i>l;ui's  as  (lu-  " Auti«iiul;»Ii'!»  .\u\orl 

Kl«nim,  tJii>t;>v.  .\llo>M>\oiiii<  iMiltur-,ut\xv'hiol»to  »lor  iwonsch- 
luMl.      l.<Mi..i.i;.  ISj;.     :>:  1(54    171.      /»T. 

Viw  orablo. 

Djivis,   .Vsahol.     Antitjuitios  of    Amorioa.     'JOth   oil.     lUvston, 

IS-lv^.       //. 

hnvis,  ;>ii  ttiniT.uif  lorlnror.  l>oro  >:iv<"s  a  very  brl(>f  ai"Oi»ui.I  of  tt\o  iMsoin- 
rry  of  \  iiil.Mul,  ami  IIumi  iIim-iism-s  jU  linviiU  tho  |Mol>al>lHt>  of  iho  trull"  of  llio 
Ktory.     Uo  l>i'h«>\i>s  lUat  tUo  Norlluuou  »lis»>n»'nvl  Auurioa, 

Rohinnon,  Conway.  .\u  arotumt  of  (lisrov«M'ios  in  tho  Wost 
until  loll),  jdul  of  \ov;>s;o.s  to  antl  alon>;  tho  .Allanlio  l\m,'*f  »>f 
North  Ainnioa  fn>n»  IWO  to  ir>7;l.    Uivlunonil.  ISIS.    pp.  I    .0.    //. 

Olvosi  a  lonir  oxfr.aot  of  tho  dlnoovory  of  .Vmrrloa.  takon  from  NVtu".itoi>'i« 
"  Norll>imi>."  l>ut  «'\iMi<sscs  «o  opinion  on  tho  Kiibjorl, 

MasiiActutsoftii  quArtorlv  reviow.  PiMinorv  of  Aiuorioa  h\ 
tho  NorMMuon.     Host.  ii.  ISI".».     V:  KSD  •>>!  I.     //. 

Hy  .1  KUiol  i'al'oi  I'lvo  l\l!«lorloal  ovMonoo  Is  ^Mvon,  nml  tl>o  wrltor 
lii'ltovi'«i  ilial  lilt"  Nor(t\n\i'n  ilWi-o\orr>l  Amt'rn-a.  Imt  is  Inollni'il  to  placo  tin' 
paiis  \vl\U'l\  tlii'y  NisUi'il  al<ont  l.al'iailor  ami  Nrw  foumltatid 

Ohrtinbors,  Koln'rt  .i;<W  NV.  T.-quMs  for  tho  |H'oplo.  Kilin.. 
isr)0.     V.  (I.  no    Vi.     II. 

A  |>opnlar  aci-onnt  of  tin"  dlsooxorv  i>f  AtnorU'a  l>v  Iho  Nortlnnrn  In  ^tlv^'n. 
ami  ti;o  Insciiplion  on  ilu"  l>l);lUoi\  ijock.  Ilu'  OU\  Mill,  anil  ll-.o  sk('l»"i.>i\  in 
i»rn»v>r.  aro  lil-in-M-il      'Vhc  wrllor  l>("lli"\<"s  It, 

WArbui-ton,  i; :     Tho  ooii.pio.st  of  l\tna»h«.     N.  V..  18.M>.     I 

iJiM'S  very  l>ri»"l)y  ll\<"  a<io»n\t  of  tho  Novlhtnin,  »\ilhonl  ilo\ihtt«ir  tt. 

BrookN,  AVc.  I';  'riniolhv.  Tho  oi>iitn>vorsy  toiiihiiic  llio  oU\ 
Stiuio    Mill    ill    tho   town   ot    Nowport.    I\h<uh>   Ultimi,     N'owport. 

is:»i.    //. 

"  Wo  nn>pt>so  to  pnl>li!»h  to»rothi"r  all  tho  li>ttors,  i\o\V!«iva\H"r  artlolo!*.  And 
roo»>r>loil  iloinn\i"nts  wo  c-^n  Unil,  «hlih  haM-  hoon  ollolloil  h>  tho  i>M  Slono 
Mill  oontro\ors\,  with  »noh  ov.'il  Innllllons  ami  romlnlsi  ono("s  as  may  sooin 
worth  \<roitorvin>;  in  print."  Thoxxntoris  nn  linoil  to  hoUoxo  that  Honoillot 
ArnoM  built  It  for  a  \\U\\\  mill 

Riv«ro,  Mariano  I'l;.  ijm</  TucluuJi,  .1:  .l.-toob  von.  ronivi;>n 
nntionitios.     (An    Mnj;li>h    t iJinslation.     N.    Y.,    1S.\'<.     pp.    51  I, 

nr. 


lo4        I'iCK-COLUMlllAN    DISCOVERIES   OF    AMEUICA. 


Till'  arcouiit  of  the  Xorthiiioii  is  hore  given,  in  wliicli  tlic  authors  fully 
belifvo. 

New  England  historical  and  genealogical  register.    Boston, 

A  paper  l>y  V.  V.  Uafn  contains  a  synopsis  of  tlio  discoveries  of  the 
Northmen. 

Haven,  S:  F.  Arclui'olojijy  of  the  United  Status,  (/"m  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  Contriliutioii.s  to  knowledge.  Wush.,  183G. 
V.  8,  art.  1,  pp.  10,  IJJ,  20,  '.io,  (53,  100-108.     //.) 

"The  narratives  of  the  voyatics  of  the  Northmen,  and  their  discovery  of 
this  country,  are  regarded  as'\v»'ll  attested,  leaving  the  (jiiestion  t)pen  as  to 
the  distance  in  a  southerly  direction  to  which  their  observations  extended; 
and  many  striking  coincidences  seem  to  justify  the  conclusion  that  the  Vinland 
of  these  narratives  was  really  in  Narragiinsett  Kay."  However,  he  regards 
the  Dighton  Hock  and  the  tower  at  Newport  as  having  nothing  to  do  w  itli  the 
Northmen. 

Blackwood,  F:  Temple  IIiiniiltf)n  Temple.  [/>>?y^  IJuffcnti.] 
Letters  from  high  hititnde.s.     London,  1857.     pp.  57-59.     7/. 

The  claim  of  the  Northmen  is  mentioned:  the  author  believes  it. 

Brasseur  de  Bourbourg,  V:  Etienne,  Vubfte.  llistoire  des 
nations  eivilisees  du  Moxi(nie  et  de  rAnieri(iue-Centrale.  Paris, 
1857.     1 :  18-33.     //. 

Favorable. 

Elliott,  C;  W.  The  New  England  history.  N.  Y.,  1857.  1: 
18-37.     BV. 

The  account  of  the  Northmen,  in  which  the  author  fully  believes,  is  given 
!»t  considerable  length.  He  adds  a  list  of  some  of  the  autiiorities  on  the  sub- 
ject. 

Notes  and  queries.     London,  1858.     3d  ser.,  v.  5.     //. 

Alfred  T.  Lee,  p.  314,  remarks  that  Lord  Dufferiu  says  that  America  was 
discovered  by  Icelanders  in  the  11th  century.  He  asks  for  corroborative 
testimony. 

\V.  D.  II.  replies,  pp  38t>-387,  that  the  evidence  is  given  in  'Antiquitates 
Americanie,"  "North  Anieriran  review,"'  v.  4(5,  and  the  Earl  of  Kllesmere'a 
"CJuide  to  Northern  archuM)U)gy." 

\V.  II.  Z.  and  W:  MatthewsJ^  p.  458,  give  a  number  of  the  authorities  upon 
which  the  account  rests. 

Nouvelle  biographie  gen^rale.  Paris,  1858.  IG:  250-251. 
Eric.     //. 

The  account  of  the  discovery  of  Vinland  is  here  given  in  brief,  but  no 
opinion  is  expressed  as  to  the  truth  of  it;  a  partial  bibliography  of  the  subject 
is  added. 

Palfrey,  J :  Gorhain.  History  of  New  England.  Boston,  1858. 
1:  51-58.     //. 


rHi;-('<M,(  MiMAN  i)is{;ovKitMi;s  of  amkuk  a.      135 


(iiviw  hricny  tln'  acciumf  f»f  tlie  rlJKCovory  of  Vinliiml,  toijctlicr  witli  pic- 
tllr(^■i  (if  llir  lower  at  N('W|>nr(,  iiiid  nf  ii  siiiiiliir  oiu;  at  rhrHtertuii  iti  Warwick- 
Hhiic.  lie  considi'is  the  ilaims  "iiowino  unlikely,"  and  ideiititleH  the  pliiceH 
as  in  the  "Aiiticjiiitates  Aint'ricuna'."" 

Peschel,  Osoir  Ft-nliiiand.  (icsiiliiclito  ties  zi'iliiltcrs  clcr  cnt- 
(k"ckiiiij,'(Mi.     Stiitt.i;.  II.  Aii«;sl).,  ISoH.     pp.  1U3-10G.     //. 

Fnvoruhle. 

Beauvois,  Eiii^tMR".  Decouvertes  (l(!s  Scundinavos  cii  Ameriqiic. 
Piiris,  1859.     //. 

A  translation  of  tho  ino«t  iniportiiut  piirts  of  tliu  "  Anti<iuitatcs  Amcri- 
canic." 

Asher,  G :  >[.  Henry  Ifiulson  the  iifivi^'jitor.  (Ilakluyt  Society.) 
liondoii,  1800.     PI).  Ixvi-lxvii,  ccxvi-cc.wii.    //. 

Favorahlc. 

Domenech,  Em.,  I'tihln'.  Seven  v»ars'  resideiiee  in  the  Great 
Dosorts  of  Xortli  America.     London,*  IHOO.     1 :  52-(;4.     JJJ*. 

Gives  the  account  of  the  Northmen,  which  the  author  believes. 

Brasseur  de  Bourbourg,  C:  Etionne,  Vahbi'.  Popol  Vuh.  Paris, 
1861.     pp.  lii-liv.     //. 

Mentions  the  claim  of  the  Xortliinen,  and  sayw  that,  ajthoui^h  they  went 
ns  far  south  as  North  Carolina,  their  principal  station  was  at  the  mouth  of  ttie 
St.  Lawrence. 

Tylor,  E:  Buniett.    Anuluiac.    London,  ISfil.    i>p.  378-279.   //. 
Favoiablc. 

Oharnay,  Desire,  and  Violet-le-Duc.  Cites  ot  ruincs  ameri- 
caines.     Paris,  1803.     pp.  10-11,  18,  23.     BP. 

Favorable. 

Wilson,  Daniel.  Prehistoric  man.  London  and  Catnb.,  18G3. 
f3d  ed.,  London,  1876.    3:82-ri..     //,] 

Favorable. 

Riant,  Paul.  Expeditions  et  pelorinaijes  des  Scandinaves  on 
Terre  Sainte  an  temps  des  ('roisades.  I'aris,  1805.  pj).  19,  23-4, 
no,  235,  340,  302,  304-5,  and  420.     BN. 

Several  times  mention  is  here  made  of  the  coast  of  Labrador  as  being  a 
colony  of  Norway  durinu;  the  time  of  (lie  Crusades. 

Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  Proeeedinffs,  1865.  Bos- 
ton, 1806.     pp.  175-201.     //. 

This  is  a  communicatiim  by  Dr.  Webb  on  Prof.  Uafn.  The  work  done  by 
the  Royal  Society  of  Northern  Antiquarians  is  stated,  the  whole  question  of 


136       rUK-COLUMUIAN    I)IS<;<»VKKIIOS    OK    AMEKKU. 


the  Norlluncn  is  diHCusKod,  iiutl  llic  viowH  liclil  Ity  Mir  iliicf  wrilerH  m^i  forth. 
Also  coiiliiins  luiiiiy  lottors  of  iulorcsl  from  Prof.  Uatii  to  Dr.  \Vtl)l)  on  tlic 
Huhjcct. 

Historical  magazine.    N.Y.,  Dicrmlur.  1805.    9:30l-,'mr».    If. 

An  nrtU'Io  l)y  1).  (>.  W.  to  prove  that  Iliiitraiimnniiliind  wan  on  the  cottBt  of 
Virginia  or  the  t'arolliuiH. 

De  OoHiA,  liev.  H:  Fniiikliii.   Pro-Coluuir)iiimli!?covcryof  Amer- 
ica by  tlu'  Nortlimoii.     All)Hiiy,  18G8.     //. 


graithical  fra">;nu'nts. 

Tlio  aim 'vas  lo  place  williin  tlie  reach  of  the  Kni,'linh- reading  iiirttorlcal 
ptndcnl  every  portion  of  tlie  Icelandic  SaKii"  essentially  relating  to  the  Pre 
Coliimbian  discovery  of  America  by  the  Northmen. 


Nort;^ii  American  review.     Hosion,  180J).     109:265-272. 
Ho  Costa's  (liseovory  of  Amoriciii,  by  J.  Lowis  Uiiiiiin. 

A  short  criticism  of  D'  Oosta's  work. 


//. 


DeOosta,  Hep.  B:  Fnuikliii.  Notes  on  a  rovicw  of  "The  Pro- 
C(>liiii)l)ian  (liseovcry  of  Aineriisa  by  the  Nortliineii,"  in  tlie  "North 
A tneriean  review"  for  July.     rharU'stown,  18G1).     //. 

A  reply  to  the  criticism  in  the  "North  American  review." 


Historical    magazine. 

r):;{0-3i.    //. 


Morrisauiii.  January,    1869.     2(1   ser. 


An  article  hy  Joseph  Williamson.  States  that  the  remains  of  some  very 
early  settlements  have  been  found  in  dilTiirenl  parts  of  Maine,  and  the  writer, 
referrinij;  to  the  account  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  the  Northmen,  sufi;- 
gests  that  they  may  have  bee->  left  by  them.' 

Historical  magazine.  Morrisania.  Mareli,  1869.  n.s.  v.  5,  no.  3, 
pp.  170-179.  //.  The  Ajite-Coluinbian  discovery  of  the  American 
continent  by  the  NiU'thmen,  by  F.  Hoggihl. 

The  account  is  jjivon,  and  the  inscription  on  the  Dijjhton  Rock  is  dipcnsscd, 
which  the  writer  does  not  consider  the  work  of  the  Northmen.  To  this  article 
l)e  Costa  advls  u  note,  showing;  some  mistakes  into  which  the  writer  has  fallen. 

Gaflfarel,  Paul.  l^ltudi>s  sur  les  ranports  de  TAmeriquc  et  do 
I'Ancien  Continent  avant  Christoph  Colomb.  Paris,  1869.  pp.  225- 
260.     BP. 

Speaks  of  the  maritime  activity  of  the  Northmen,  pves  at  considerable 
length  the  acconnt  of  discoveries  of  the  Northmen  in  tlie  Atlantic  before  KK)); 
discusses  the  probability  that  the  Tollecs  discovered  .America  before  this 
time,  but  does  not  believe  it:  fiivw  the  vova^es  of  the  Northmen  in  the  11th 
century;  shows  that  Vinlaud  was  kuown  iu  lilurope ;  treats  of  the  commerce  of 


I'HK-COLUMIMAN    DISCOVICIUKS    OF*"    AMKKICA. 


|;>^ 


W 


Viiilaml ;  ami  flnally  of  tlic  (Icoiilcurc  of  flic  Srnndiimvian  colonlrn  of  Aiiirrira. 
lie  JM  MTV  full  ill  hi-  fool  iiotcH.  Ilf  ( <iii(4iilrrH  llrlhilanil,  Ncvvfoniiillaiul ; 
VIiiImihI,  the  <'oaht  of  Ulioilc  IhIhiiiI  and  MaHHacliiiHcttH;  Kialuriii^x,  t'ai>i!  (.'oU; 
and  KroHHimcHH,  Cajm  Sable. 

Willis,  VV:  Documciiliirv  lii^^l'ii'vnf  till"  SlHl(M)f  Maine.  (Maine 
Hist.  Snc.  2(1  ser.,  V.  1.)  I'orllund,  \Hm.  vol.  I.  Ilisicry  of  the 
discovery  of  llio  east,  coast,  of  Norlli  America,  l>y  .1.  (J.  Kolil.  itp. 
(KM)!.     //. 

(JivcH  (he  arroniitM  of  tlio  dlRrovory  of  Vlnland,  with  Hip  antlioritieK  upon 
wliicli  they  riHt,  and  conicH  to  \\\v  nani<'  conclusion  hh  the  cdltorH  of  tlio 
"Anti(|uitateH  Awuricaiiii'." 

American  Oeographical  and  StatiHtical  Society.  .Toiirnal. 
N.Y.,  1870.     t>,  I )t.  2:40-51.     7//'. 

Hy  the  K«'v.  R:  Franklin  Di;  CoHta.  The  qMCHtion  of  tlie  Northmen  1« 
disnisHcd,  and  a  map  of  I'apc  Cod,  an  it  ajipeared  at  the  lHj,'iniiinK'  of  the  17th 
century,  \h  added. 

DeOoBtai,Jirv.  IJ:  Frunkliii.  The  Northiiicn  in  Miiine.  AlWany, 
1870.     pp.  5-2}).     //. 

A  crlticiflm  on  the  work  of  I>r.  Kohl. 

Harper's  new  monthly  magazine.  N.Y..  1H71.  42:427.  An 
examination  of  llu!  claims  of  Columbn.s,  by  Kcv.  M.  Maury. 

Favorftblc. 

De  Oosta, /^.''\  IJ:  Franklin.  C'oluml)us  and  the  f^eo^^ra pliers 
of  the  North.     Hartford.  1872.     pp.  1-17.     //. 

CiivcB  briefly  the  accomitr*  of  tlie  Northmen,  witli  riinarkK  and  commentH, 
coiiBidcriiiK  the  Bubjecl  In  relation  to  ColtimbuH. 

Baldwin,  J:  Den i.son.  Ancient  Ainei !(!a.  N.Y.,  1872.  pp.  270- 
285.     //. 

GivcK  nn  nccount  of  the  discovery  of  Vinlund,  which  he  conHidcra  to  be  a 
port  of  New  England. 

OornhiU  magazine.     London,  Ont.,  1872.     20: 456-459.     //. 

Legends  of  Old  America. 

The  account  of  the  Norttimen  Ih  here  briefly  piven,  which  the  writer  is 
inclined  to  dii^believe.  Thin  article  waw  reprinted  in  "  Littell'M  living  ugc."' 
Boston,  187:5.     no.  IMl,  pp.  7«»;i-7»». 

National  quarterly  review.   N.Y..  Dec,  1873.    28:75-97.    //. 

The  ncconnt  of  the  Northmen  is  here  given,  which  the  writer  considcfB 
nnquestionably  trne;  he  does  not,  however,  attribute  to  them  theOM  Mill  and 
the  inscription  on  the  Dighton  Kock. 

Gravier,  Gabriel.  Decouvertc  de  rAmericiue  i)ar  Ics  Nonnands 
au  10"  siccle.     Paris,  1874.    BP. 


138     riiK-roLUMiJiAx  discovkriks  of  America. 


I  ! 


Confcnfit.—Unntc.  i]c:  lAmiTirinc;  Lcb  cnfants  d'Erik  Ic  Kongo;  Thorfinn 
Karlhcfno  «t  (■iKlrida;  Exciirsioiist  nu'ridionalcs;  Kxciirsioiif  bon-iilfB;  Tri'di- 
cationn  rrt'ticniics  en  Aiiktuiiu':  Noiivi-llc  dc'cuiivfito  dc  rAiiK-rifiiie  ii  la  tin 
(In  11"^  Hit'iK-;  Di-radi-ncf  «'l  mine  dcs*  colonies  iiorniands  dc  I'Aineriiiue; 
I'rcnves  ardu'ologHjnes  dii  si'jonr  des  Norinands  on  Auieritjnc.  Also  has  a 
map  of  tlic  discoveries  of  the  Northmen  in  America,  a  map  of  the  Zeni,  and 
an  engraving  of  the  inscription  on  the  Dighton  Rock. 

Puts  full  credit  in  the  account  of  the  discovery,  and  apsigns  to  the  North- 
men the  tower  at  Newj)ort  and  the  inscri])tions  on  the  Dighton  Rock.  The 
identitlcation  of  j)laees  is  the  same  as  that  given  in  the  '"Antiquitatcs  Amcri- 
canie."    His  foot-notes  and  references  are  very  full. 

North  American  review.  Boston,  1874.  119:  166-183.  //. 
Gravicr's  Deeouvorte  de  rAinerique,  by  II:  Cabot  Lodge. 

A  criticism  on  (Jravier'n*  work"  and  gives  the  account  of  the  discovery  of 
Vinland.  It  also  discusses  the  quction  of  the  Dighton  Rock  and  the  tower  at 
Newport,  and  adds,  "(Jravier's  bork  is  almost  valueless,  beyond  calling  atten- 
tion to  an  interesting  field  of  investigation." 

Goodrich,  Aaron.  A  history  of  the  character  and  acliicvcnicnts 
of  the  so-called  Christopher  Cohi'nbiis.  N.Y.,  1874.  pp.  69-87.  Bl\ 

Gives  the  account  of  the  Northmen.  The  author  believes  it,  and  identifies 
the  |)laces  as  in  the  "Anticjuitates  Americanie."' 

Royal  Historical  Society.  Transactions.  London,  1874.  n.s., 
;]:  75-97.     //. 

(iivcs  the  account  of  the  Northmen,  and  the  authorities  upon  which  it 
rests  are  stated. 

Kingsley,  Jiev.  C:  Lectures  delivered  in  America  in  1874. 
Phila.,  187.").     pp.  65-97.     //. 

This  is  a  popular  account  of  the  discovery,  which  the  writer  regards  as 
history. 


B.     America  not  discovered  by  Columbus.     Chi- 


Anderson,  R. 

cago,  1874.     //. 

Contents.— The  Norsemen,  and  other  peoples,  interested  in  the  discovery 
of  America;  Norse  literature  has  been  neglected  by  the  learned  men  of  the 
great  nations;  Anti(iuity  of  America:  I'henician,  Greek,  Irish,  and  Welsh 
claims;  Wlio  were  the  Norsimen?  (Jreenland;  The  ships  of  the  Norsemen; 
The  Sagas  and  documents  are  genuine;  Hjarnc  Herjulfson.KHfi:  Leif  Erikson, 
U)00;  Thorlinn  Karlsefne  and  (Judrid,  1007;  The  discovery  of  America  by 
Columbus;  Other  expeditions  by  the  Norsemen;  Conclusion;  The  Scandina- 
vian languages. 

A  small  book  containing  much  information  not  to  be  conveniently  found 
elsewhere.  It  gives  fully  the  account  of  the  discovery  of  Vinland.  Tlie  author 
puts  great  conlidence  in  the  account,  as  well  as  in  the  tower  at  Newport,  the 
Dighton  Rock,  and  the  skeleton  in  armor.  He  also  believes  that  Columbus 
knew  of  the  discovery  of  America  by  the  Northmen,  and  concludes  by  giving 
quotations  from  several  eminent  scholars  in  regard  to  the  Scandinavian  lan- 
guages. 


Abbott,  J 
13-31.     BP. 


S.  C.    The  history  of  Maine.    Boston,  1875.    pp. 


FRE-CCLUMPIAN    DISCOVERIES    OF    ..MERICA. 


139 


Gives  the  account  of  the  Nortlimon,  which  the  iiiithor  takes  from  the 
"Antiqiiitiiti'M  Aniericnimc."  He  ii;,'rei'K  witii  it  in  every  particular,  and  Hays 
of  the  Old  Mill,  "It  in  not  nnreahonahk'  to  siippoxc  that  the  venerable  tower 
r  -mains  a  memorial  of  the  Northmcn't!  visit." 

Drake,  S:  Adams.  Nooks  and  corners  of  the  New  En;i:lttnd 
coast.     N.Y.,  1875.     p.  ;}61).     //. 

The  connection  of  the  Northmen  with  the  Old  J  .11  at  Newport  is  taken  np. 
"The  discovery  of  any  portion  of  Uie  coawt  of  New  England  by  Northmen 
bclongB  to  the  realms  of  conjecture." 

Galaxy.  N.Y.,  1875.  20:  514-518.  H.  Claims  to  the  dis- 
covery of  America,  hy  J:  T.  Short. 

Gives  briefly  the  account  of  the  Northmen,  which  he  considers  probable; 
but  he  does  not  believe  in  the  Dighton  Kock  and  the  Old  Mill. 

Potter's  American  monthly.  Piiihi.,  1875.  v.  5;  no.  48.  pp. 
906-907.  H.  The  visits  of  Europeans  to  America  in  the  10th  and 
11th  centuries,  by  M.  K.  Pilon. 

Gives  the  account  of  the  Northmen,  which  he  believes. 

Oarlyle,  T :  The  earlv  kings  of  Norway.  N.  Y.,  1875.  pp.  50- 
51.    //. 

Mentions  that  it  is  believed  tliat  Erik  the  Red  discovered  America  in  985. 
The  author  then  states  the  parts  which  he  is  thought  to  have  visited. 

Higginson,  T:  VVentwortli.  Young  folks'  history  of  the  United 
States.     Boston,  1875.     pp.  25-80.    //. 

After  giving  the  story  ofithe  Northmen,  expresses  the  opinion  that  Vin- 
land  was  Rhode  Island  or  Nova  Scotia. 

Congr^s  International  des  Am^ricanistes.  Comnte-rendu  do 
la  1"  session.     Nancy  et  Paris,  1875.     1 :  37-93.     BP.  ' 

In  this  article,  by  Eugene  Beauvois,  the  question  of  the  Northmen  is  dis- 
cussed at  great  lengt'i,  and  profuse  references  are  given.  A  map  of  the  dis- 
coveries of  the  Northmen  is  added. 

Bryant,  W:  Cullen,  (oid  Gay,  Sidney  Howard.  Popular  history 
of  the  United  States.     N.Y.,  1876.     vol.  1,  ch.  3.     H. 

Gives  a  very  complete  account  of  the  discovery  of  Vinland,  and  discusses 
the  probabilii-jr'  of  the  story.  His  notes  and  references  are  also  very  copious. 
This  chapter  is  accompanied  by  engravings  of  the  Dighton  Rock,  ana  of  a 
similar  one  near  Steubenvillo,  Ohio,  as  wcmI  as  of  the  tower  at  Newport,  and 
of  a  similar  one  at  Chesti  rton,  in  Warwickshire ;  l)ut  the  author  puts  no  con- 
fidence either  in  the  tower  or  the  Dij.fiiton  Rock.  He  says,  "The  main  facts 
related  in  the  Icelandic  Chronicles  are  unouestumably  true";  and  again, 
"There  seems  no  good  reason  for  doubting. that «the  Northmen  did  cross  the 
Atlantic  from  coast  to  coast." 

Bancroft,  HuV)ert  Howe.  The  native  iaces  of  the  Pacific  States 
of  North  America.     N.Y..  1876.     5:102-115.     H. 

Giv«>3  at  considerable  length  the  account  of  the  discovery  of  America  by 


140       PKE-COLUMUIAN    I)IS(H)VEIirES    <»l'     AMEKK'A. 


tho  Northmen,  which  lie  1m  iiicliind  to  l)t'lk'vc.    lie  ihUIh  an  oxcocdinKly  full 
bibli()j;rupliy  of  the  (*iii)jfct. 


Kneeland,  S: 
217-2;U.     //. 


An  Amcrit'im   in   Iceland.     Boston,  1H76.     pp. 


(ilvc»<,  ill  liriff,  tilt"  (irtouiil  i)f  the  discovery  of  Vinliiiid,  mid  iliHciiKHo.H  the 
prohiiliility  of  it.  Tlu>  aiilhor  thinks  it  is  triii',  and  tliat  Vinland  wmm  on  the 
coaat  of  New  Kii;;liin(l. 

Higginson,  T:  VVcntwoflh.  \  liook  of  Aincrii-an  cxploi'crs. 
Boston,  1877.     pp.  1-1.").     //. 

Oivcs  n  popular  account  of  tlie  Northmen  discovery,  taken  from  the 
"Mansachusetts  (piarterly  review,"  184!(. 

Slafter,  Kdiniind  Farwcll.  Voyap's  of  the  Norllmicn  to  Ain- 
cricii.     Boston,  1877.     (Princo  Socicly.)     //. 

('oufeiiti>.—\\ti\>  of  Vinland;  I'reface;  Indodiiction;  (loneral  Map  of 
Northern  Europe  and  America;  The  Sa>;a  of  Krik  the  Ued;  Extracts  from  tho 
Ileimskrinjila  of  Snorro  Sturleson;  Tlie  Sai;a  of 'riiorllnn  Karlsefne;  (Jeo- 
praphical  notices;  .Minor  narratives;  I'rof.  Kafn's  Synopsis  of  historical  evi- 
dence; ()piiii<in  of  Prof.  IJafn  as  to  identity  of  places;  Dial  of  \]\v  ancient 
northmen,  hv  IMof.  Mamuiseii;  .Names  ^'iveii  to  the  parts  of  the  d  ly  hy  the 
Northmen;  llil)lio^'rai)hic!il,  etc. 

The  object  was  to  eollecl  in  a  suitable  form  for  Amrriean  readers  the 
evidence  contained  in  the  ".Vntiquit^ites  .\mericana','\and  Beamifeh's  work. 

Farnum,  Alexander.  Visits  of  the  Xortlnneii  to  Uhode  Island. 
Providence,  1877.     (Rhode  Island  hist,  tracts,  no.  '2.)     II. 

Gives  brietly  the  aceoun*  of  the  INorthmen.  in  which  the  writer  fully 
believes,  lie,  however,  considers  the  Old  Mill  and  the  Uighton  Kock  as  hav- 
ing nothing  to  do  with  the  Northmen. 

Foster,  .1 :  Wells.  Piv-historie  faces  of  the  United  States. 
Chicago,  1878.     i>i).  ;5!)!)-400.     //. 

Unfavorable. 

Binding,   Paul   Kristian.     The  Scandinavian   races,     (A   new 

edition,  with  a  few  slight  changes,  and  a  little  additional  matter, 

of  the  author's  "History  of  Scandinavia.")    N.  Y.,  1878.     pp.  70- 

84.    H. 

Gives  fully  the  account  of  the  discovery  of  Vinland,  and  mentions  the 
parts  of  America  which  the  Northmen  are  thought  to  have  visited.  "The 
claim  that  the  Northmen  were  the  very  first  discoverers  of  America  seems  to 
bo  placed  on  good  foundation." 

Short,  J:  T.  The  North  Americans  of  antiquity,  N.  Y.,  1879. 
pp.  152-154.     H. 

A  criticism  in  favor  of  the  claim. 


Metcalfe,  F.     The  Englishman  and  the  Scandinavian, 
don,  1880.   pp.  35,  193,  297,  note.    H. 

Favorable. 


L(Pn- 


I'RE-C(»r-i:MIUAN    F)IS('(>VERIK8    OF    AMEKKJA.        141 


III.     DISCOVKKV    15V   TIIK   AKAMS. 

Edrisi.  Nos  lict  ul-inosclilMt'  t\  ikkiino  iil-afac  VVritttMi  in 
115;J.  [A  Frcjicli  Iniiisljitioii,  l)y  I'.  A.  .laulicrt,  iiiidcr  the  (itlcof 
"(iooKiupliic  (rKclrisi,"  Paris,  imi-H),  !>y  I'.  A.  .laiihcrt.  1:20(). 
201;  2:20-^»i>.     //.  | 

On  ))!>.  2(M)  -iOl  In-  liiiitH  of  thn  voyiigc  of  tlif  Mii^liroiiriii^',  and  on  pp.  2ft-tn 
lio  uivfH,  willioiit  Hinting  his  iiiitliority,  tin?  nfory  of  cinht  rrliillvrf*  who  niillcd 
to  the  went  in  ordt-r  to  tlnd  out  the  limits  of  the  ocean. 

Institut  de  France.  Arddt'mu'  lioi/nlv  ihs  Inxrriptioh.s  vf 
livlU'H.LctlrcH.  Tip.  iM('iiu>iros  do  litU'raluiv.  Paris,  HOI.  128; 
r)24-.'i2({.  lit'clu'rchcs  siir  Ics  iiavipiliniis  dcs  Cliiiiois  dii  cmU'  de 
rAinoricjiic,  par  M.  dc  Giiigncs. 

GivcH  the  Htory  of  tlio  ArabH,  and  KtateH  it  hh  a  fact  that  Ihcy  wi-nt  to  the 
CanaricH,  but  does  not  give  his  anthoritieH. 

Institut  de  France.  Avmlvmiv  Itiij/iilf  ihs  IiiMcri/ifioih-^  rt 
Belh'n-Liltn'K,  Notices  ct  extraits  dcs  iiiaimscrils  dc  la  Hihiio- 
thctiuc  (111  Hoi.  Paris,  1789.  2:24,27.  //.  I'crlcs  dcs  mcrvcillcs, 
par  M.  de  Giiij,nics. 

Treats  of  a  Ms.  in  tho  lll)rary  of  tlie  i<in^'  l»y  Kl)nal-ouiir(ii,  on  pliysical 
pcograpliy,  callcMl  Mocaddcnnit-al-oiuirdiat.  De  Ouium's  ;,'ivcs  tlic  accoi'int  of 
the  Arabs,  whidi  lie  says  lie  lliuls  in  the  manuscript,  and  says  that  he  thinlis 
they  came  to  America. 

Mirnoz,  .1:  liaplista.  Ili.storia,  del  Nucvo  iMittido.  ^ladrid, 
1793.     [An  Kii{,'lisl>  translation,  Ijondon,  1797.     \i.  \\\),  voir.    II.] 

Gives  the  story  of  the  Arabs,  but  says  nothing  about  America.  Ucfers  to 
"  Notices  et  extraits." 

Murray,  Iluj^ii.     Historical  account  of  <liscovcries  and  travels 
in  North  America.     London,  1829.     1:11-12.     //. 

Speaks  of  the  account  of  the  Arabs,  but  says  it  has  been  shown  clearly 
that  the  lands  to  which  they  went  were  the  Azores. 

Oooley,  W:  Dcsborongh.  History  of  niaritjnie  and  inland 
discovery.  Lardncr's  cabinet  evcloiia'dia.  London,  1830.  1:172- 
173.     H. 

Gives  the  story  of  tlie  Arabs,  and  adds  that  they  seem  not  to  have  sailed 
beyond  the  Canary  islands.  This  book  was  reprinted  in  the  "  Kdiiibiirgh  cab- 
inet library." 

Hiunboldt,  F:  H:  Alexander  von.  Kxainen  criti(|iie  de  I'hi.s- 
toire  de  la  geographic  du  nouveau  continent.  Paris,  1837.  2 :  137- 
142.    H. 

Puts  little  confidence  in  the  account  of  the  Arabs.  He  thinks  that  if  they 
really  made  the  voyage  they  came  upon  the  Canary  isles. 


142       PUK-COLUMniAN    niSCOVKRIKS    OF    AMKKK^A. 


Malte>Brun,  (^oimul.  (ii'(ij,'ra|>liit'  uiiivorscllc.  Paris,  1841. 
1:180-1H7.     //. 

(;ivfH  tlu!  account  of  the  Arubn,  and  thinkH  it  probable  that  they  vinitcd 
the  CanHricH. 

Oolombo,  Crisloforo.  Select  letters;  ed.  by  U:  II:  I^Iujor. 
(Ilakluyt  Soeiety. )     liondon.  1H47.     pp.  xxii-xxiii.     //. 

(lives  llif  account  of  tlic  Arai)s,  but  coiiHidcrn  the  nHHcrtion  thnfthcy 
rcuchcd  the  coast  of  America  as  witliout  foundation. 

Lelewel,  .louciiiin.  (leo^riipliie  dii  moveu  ugo.  Hriix.,  1852. 
2:78-71).     HP. 

(lives  the  uceount  of  tin-  Aral)s  very  brlelly,  hut  says  that  they  landed  on 
Bome  islands.    Does  not  liint  at  America. 

Haven,  S:  F,  Arclm'olo^'y  of  the  United  States.  {In  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  Contributions  to  kiiowledj^e.  Wash.,  18.")<». 
vol  8,  art.  1,  p.  9.     //.) 

Gives  the  account  of  the  Arabs,  with  the  names  of  its  principal  snpiwrt- 
ere. 

Peschel,  O.seur  Perdiiiaiid.  Geseliiehte  des  /eilalters  dor  ent- 
dcekiuigen.     Stiittjj;.  ii.  Aiigsl).,  1858.     p().  39-41.     //. 

story  mentioned,  but  nothing  sai«l  of  America,  and  the  Story  itself 
doubted. 

Mj^jor,  U:  II:  Life  of  Prince  Iletn-y  of  Portugal.  London, 
1868.     p)).  147-149.     H. 

fJives  the  account  of  the  Arabs,  and  adds  tlie  observations  of  D'Avezac 
on  the  subject,  with  whicli  he  is  inclined  to  agree,  i.e.,  that  they  went  to 
Madeira. 

Qaffarel,  Paul.  Et  tales  sur  Ips  rajiports  du  rAni«?riqu(>-  et  dc 
TAncien  Continent  avant  Christophe  Colond).  Paris,  1869.  pp. 
208-211.     lip. 

Gives  the  account  of  the  Arabs,  of  which  he  says,  "TJie  Arabs  advanced 
very  far  into  the  Atlantic,  but  of  their  journey,  or  of  their  stay  in  America, 
we  have  no  proof." 

Bryant,  W:  Cullon,  and  Qay,  Sidney  Howard.  Popular  his- 
tory of  the  United  States.     N.  Y..  1876. '  1:04-66.     //. 

Gay  is  the  real  autlior  of  this  work;  he  gives  the  account  of  the  Arabs, 
and  refers  to  Humboldt  and  Major.  He  thinks  that  they  could  not  possibly 
have  gone  west  of  the  Azores. 


IV.    DISCOVERY  BY  THE  WELSH. 

Oaradoc  de  Lann-Oarvan.    Britannorum  succcssiones.    Writ- 
ten about  1150.    [An  English  translation,  under  the  title  of  "The 


I'KK-COI-I'MBIAN    I»I.S(;oVEKn<:H    OF    AMKKICA. 


ua 


his- 


historv  «)f  Wales,"  hy   I)i.    Powell,   uu^^nioiitcd   liv    \V.   Wynne. 
London.  1774.     1 : 1!>5-1!»7.     ///'. 

Ilcrf  it  Ih  Hiiiil  tliiit  Madiiwc,  son  (if  Owen  (Jw yiu'illi,  left  Wall"*  in  1170, 
and  Hailrd  wrstward:  "and,  leaving  In-land  to  tlie  immHi,  Ik-  canu'  at  ifiiytli 
to  an  nnknown  country,  vvlii'ii-  most  tliinu-'  appcan-d  to  lijni  new  and  iincn^'- 
toniarv,  and  tlic  inantift  of  llic  iiativtH  far  ditTcrent  f'-  .)  wliat  lir  Inid  nccn  in 


Kur<»| 


It  i^  fiirllii-r  stated  lierc  tlial  II.  Llovd 


lie  caint'  tit  Hotni'  part 


rhe 


f  Nova  Ilinpania  or  Florida,  and  tliat  Dr.  I'owi)!  tliinks  it  wax  Muxit 

Hakluyt,  K:  I'rineipiil  navipitions,  voiiii^es,  imd  discoveries 
of  the  Kn^'lish  niilion.  London,  158J).  [An  etlition,  London,  1810. 
U:  21-22.     //.| 

({iv«'B  the  story  of  Madoc,  wliich  he  Hays  he  taken  from  PowcIIh  llintory 
of  VValeH.  Adds  sonir  vrrscs  on  the  siili.jcct,  written  ity  .Slereditli,  son  of 
Uliesus,  alxint  1477.     His  opinion  is  tinit  Madoc  went  to  tiic  West  Indies. 

Hawkins,  Sir  K:  'rh(M>l)serviitions  of  Sir  Uicliard  lliiwkins, 
Knij^ht,  in  his  voiii^fe  into  the  South  Sen,  1503.  Jjonilon,  1(522, 
J).  72.     //. 

Favoral)le.     Kepublishcd  by  the  Huklnyt  Society,  London,  1847. 

Piurchas,  S:  Pnrclias  his  pilgrimage.  L(jndon,  1017.  [3d  ed., 
book  H,  p.  903.     //.J 

Unfuvoruble. 

Abbott,  G:  A  briefe  description  of  the  whole  world.  London, 
1020.     PI).  12r)-120.     //. 

Abl)ot  speaks  of  a  vajriie  aeeonnt  of  a  Welshman  who  went  to  America, 
which  lie  says  "ilotli  carry  some  sliow  with  it.' 

Smith,  ,]-.  The  genendl  historic  of  Virginia,  Now-Englund, 
and  th(f  Siiinnier  Isles.     London,  1020.     p.  1.     //. 

Tlie  story  of  Madoc  is  mentioned,  untl  it  is  added,  "  Where  this  place  was 
no  history  can  show." 

Herbert,  Sir  T:  A  relation  of  some  yeares'  "travels  into 
Africa  and  Asia  the  Great.     London,  1034.     pp.  394-397.     //. 

Favorable.    He  believes  Madoc  prol)ably  landed  at  Newfoundland. 

Fox,  Capf.  Luke.  North-west  Fox.  London,  1035.  p.  13. 
Cfi. 

The  story  of  Madoc  is  given,  as  found  in  Hakluyt,  the  opinion  being 
expressed  that  he  came  to  some  \nirt  of  the  West  Indies. 

Howell,  James.  Epistol.-i'  IIo-Eliana\  familiar  letters.  Lon- 
don, 1045-55.     [5th  ed.     London.  1(578.     pp.  354-355.     //.] 

Says  of  the  Madoc  claim,  "Tliis,  if  well  proved,  mifjlit  well  entitle  our 
crown  to  America,  if  first  discovery  may  claim  a  right  to  any  country." 


Ill         ri{l    rol  IMItl  AN     l»I^»  ON  |. nil  S    t»|.      AMIIv'lt'A, 


LiipI,  .1:  ill.  Nnliii'  ml  iIi-mtIuI  ioncin  lliipiiijs  (Irni  ii  dc  oii- 
p<ni>  i;i'iii iniii  AiiiiTii'iMiiii'inn.      I'liris,  |il|;t.     pj).  1,'tr  iril.      //. 

ri\.'    »lii|\   of    M;iil.i.     N   uIm  ti,  vxlllt    II  li'Mllir  In  l»l     I'liN^ill  iiiiil  IlltklllVl 
('i)in|i!ii  i-iMi''  ■<('  \«iiii|»  III  Wi'NIi  mill  lliMoii  iiif  i:Im'Ii       I''m\  hi  iiIiIc. 

HoniiuN,  (i:  I>r  oi  ii;iml>us  Anu-i  Hiiiii''.  Iliifjiir  romilif*,  Kiri'J. 
1«1«.  i:i.  i:n  i:«;.     //. 

('I.'iini  (if   MiiiIhi   iIIoi  ii""-,'!!,  Mini  <  uiiMiil,'!  imI   |iiiiIiiiIi|i<,  |||iiiii;Ii  nut  ti'iliilii 

MontMiuiM,     Ariinliliis.       |)i<    iiii'ii\vi>    rii    onlH'ki'iiilc    wmrM. 

Aiu-t..  iti;i.    pp.  ;t:»  :;(;,    //. 

l''H\til  .llilr, 

Campaniu!!,  I':,  of  Holm.  ]\o\\  hrsKiil'niiti;  mn  I'rovincii'ii 
N\r  Swt  I  ii;v  nil  Amctu!!.  Siorkliolm.  1  ?(>'.'.  jAii  I'liiulisli  (niiis- 
l:iiion,  unilcr  ilu'  lillc  nf  "  ncM'iipiioii  ol  iIm<  I'lovinii'  of  Nfw 
S\v»>.l.M\."  I.v  I':  S.  ,|ii  IV.iuran.     IMiilii..  IS;{1.     pp.  'JS  :i|.     //.  j 

t'lami  ol  M.iiliir  iiifiitlonoil,  ImiI  im  opiiiloii  cvpirHxi'iJ 

TorfflBu.s,   rii.MiMixius.     Ilisl.iim  NinljiinliiP  jiiili<pia'.     Iluviiiar. 


i;(V).      I'lvl 


It  (' 


//. 


MmiIov'*  I'hiiin  i-  --iioUimi  of  ji--  "!•.  no  mcniis  tilisiiiil" 

Stuveii,  .1:  1":  l>c\(>rti  Novi  (>il»is  iin  I'liloic  tlisscrlaliti  liis- 
l(>rir.<-.  riti.  a.      I'rancot.  a.  M..  Kl  I.     pp.  Ml   .'15.      //, 

Sior\  l>i'li('\  ('(I.  lint  iliiiii".lii  not  to  rofii  lo  Aiuorioii. 

Campbpll,  .1  :  Lno  ol'  tlit>  admiiais  aiul  other  cminciil  Hrilisji 
.M>aim-n.     I.xn.l.ui.  I T  J'J.     pM  ..i.     i.on.l.ai.  1  :(il.     l:'r>l'J.V,\     //.  | 

'rhoin:l\  lilt'  miilior  tloiil>l>  wlitMlitr  M.itltn-  tiinu'  lo  .Viiu'iifii.  lie  v.iy. 
"  TUt  Ti'  Hit'  !Uillu'niit  k  it'tMi-tls,  ill  lilt-  llriii>li  toiii:ii('.  il^*  lo  ilii>  t'\|ii>(lilitin  of 
M;>ilt>t  k'-,  wUfU't'xir  lit'  wont,  |irit)r  Iti  Hit'  dlsiiUiMy  nf  AiiH-ri'ii  by  ("tilnm- 
bus." 

Carte,  T:     lliMoiyof  Kn.u'laiul.     Lon.lon.  IMT.     \.(\WS.     II. 

r.iitt"  s.ivs  tl>:u  M:ni.u-  lanif  "hi  a  laiui  unknown,  prolmhly  t!>e  coast  of 
FltMiii.i,  or  soim>  niiuo  noill\i'rn  p:irl  tif  Anu'rira." 

LytUetou,  (J :  Hi,«itoiv  of  tlio  lif»' «>f  Kiiijj;  lloiiry  tlio  Soei)ml, 
Ltmtltiii.  17(57.     4:;a71-;i7i.     //. 

lnfa\t>raMo. 

Beatty,  i':  .liMirnal  of  a  two  months'  tour  in  Ainorioa.  Lon- 
don. UiiJS.     pp.  24-',^8.     //. 

Ht>ro  is  iriviMi  souio  information,  dorivoil  from  a  man  named  Suttoti,  and 
auotlur  naniod  Levi  Hicks  relative  to  the  Welsh  origin  of  the  InUiuus  of 
IVnu^v  Ivania. 


I'lM    <'M|  (Mill  \N     l»|s<  oVKKIKM    <t|      AMIUKA 


iir. 


Bnriinl,  .Imiih'  |Ii<iii|  ,MiinlMii|i|ii|.  (M'  IId- 'iri|.'iii  iiiiil  jir'>t;r')"' < 
..r  Imiijmimi;.'.  IvIiii..  | V.M.  |'.M  ..|.  Ivlm,.  \IH.  |,|,.  :,m  .'»IHJ, 
nnt,.      //.  I 

|''il\  iiimIiIi'. 

Ownii,  \.     Miifisli  rcmniiiM.     I.dtiilnii,  1777,    pp.  lOJJ  liiO.     //. 

( Jl\  ex    I  riipv  'if  l>r     I 'jilt  I '►'  "Air  (til  Ml   nf  fill   II II  I'll' hi   ijlxi  (IVIT  V  'if  A  lll'Ti'll,   " 

Willi  1 1' 1 1 1' I  M  fill  II I  Miiii:mii  .lull  I' I  mill  <  'hiii  h'x  l.tnyil  In  I'liilli  iiiiiil'iii  llini  'if ." 

RoherlNoii,  \V  :  ilisliiry  <il' Aim  ricu.  lounloti,  1777.  1 :  4110- 
'j:iH.     //. 

I'lifiiMiriilili'. 

FIInoii,  J:  DiscMVcry,  '-i'III«'Imi'IiI,  hiiiI  prfHciil  hIuIi-  (>f  Kfii- 
tiirky.     Wash..  I7H'1.     |i|..  Ur.  \m.     II. 

rnviiriililr. 

JonoH,  M;  IMii'-iciil  mill  piH-licnl  rclii'kM  of  tin;  Wnl.ili  bnHN. 
Lcmldii.   I7MI.      I:  :I7.      //. 

"'I'lir  iiT  (if 'iiir  ji'ii'lrv  III  |ir'"j('rvlii;;  llir  iiii'iii'iry  'if  I'Vi'iil-,  iiml  llii-  nl'l 
It  liiiM  li'iil  III  lilxtiiry,  Im  |iV'i\i'i|  liy  iiii'iIImt  i'Xiiiii|i|i',  vI/.,  'if  llic  < '•Iclir/itcil 
.'/</(/('!/  "''  '>"■«'(  iiiii/iii'ihi,nm\  IiIh  ((luciniTy  nf  ,\iim  rli  u,  iili'iiil  Idc  yiir  1170   ' 

Warrington,  W       Hisloiv '>!' VVnhs.      London.  17H({.     pp.  im 

:t:ir..    //. 

I'"il\(>ialilr. 

Pennant,'!':     liilrdiliiiMinii    lo   Hit-    Arclif    ■/.nl'ilnuiy .      LoiMlon, 
17H7.     I'i.lr.l,      London.  1 7!t'J.      pp.  ;i(j:{  204.     //.  | 
riifayoiiilili'. 

Qentleman'H  magazine.     Lmidon.  178}).     r,{):  1007-1008.     //. 

iM.  1'".  ^,'lvt'K  a  Jctl'T  ('JMlinlir,'  llic  (il«r(i\crv  liy  Miiijoc.  Me  wayi  that  tho 
k'ttcr  wiiH  !,'i\in  liiiii  l>y  ii  lady,  itiil  hi'  known  not  who  wrotf  It. 

Qentleman'H  magazfwe.     London.  170L     vol.  i\\.     II. 

On  pji.  .'$;!(>.  ■'{'.)(»  7.  .VM  (1.  and  '!\)Tt  <i,  U':  Owen  eivi-M  many  prnofH  of  tho 
(IIkcovitv  111'  Ann  rici  liy  llii'  WidMh,     On  pp.  Cil'J  (Jl  I,  K:  William-  Kivc-  adili 
tlonal  infnrMiiitliin.     On  p.  (i!i.'l,  I..  K.  pro|io>'ch  that  the  (iiivirnnD'Ht  hcikI  un 
(•.xpi'ditlon  to  asicrlain  the  truth  of  the  \Vclnh  (■laliii-.     On  p.  M()0  \,.  carrk-M 
un  tho  ilis('iiH.>'i(in. 

Williams,.!:  An  iiKiiiiry  into  flic  tnilli  of  llic  tradition  ron- 
pcrnin^T  the  di.scovcry  oi  Anicricii  Ity  I'rince  Miidog  ab  Owen 
Gwyncdd.     liondon.  17!M. 

Fiivorubli". 

Williams,  J:  Further  oltscrvations  on  the  discovery  of  Amer- 
ica by  the  Etiropeniis.     London,  1792. 

Favorable. 


II 


w 


146       PRE-COLUMBIAN    DISCOVERIES    OF    AMERICA. 


ki    I 


Caioy'K  American  museum.  Phila.,  1792.  11:  152,  209, 
etc.    H. 

An  extract  from  J:  Williams'  work. 

Belknap,  Jeremy.  Ainericun  biography.  B(jston,  1794,  1: 
58-00.    H. 

The  author  gives  ivervtliing  that  he  could  flud  on  the  subject  of  Madoc. 
He  thinkn  it  not  iuiproi>a)ile  that  the  story  was  irvented  by  Hakluyt  to 
detract  from  Columbus'  fame. 

Burder,  G:    The  W- Ish  Indians.     London,  1797.     H. 

Here  is  gi  .en  the  whole  story,  with  eojiious  references,  and  many  proofs 
not  to  be  found  elsewhere.    The  criticism  is  entirely  favorable. 

Oweu,    W:     The    Cambrian    biograpliy.     London,    1803.     p. 

233.     BM. 

"I  have  collected  a  multitude  of  evidences,  in  conjunction  with  Edward 
Williams,  the  bard,  to  prove  that  Madog  must  have  reached  the  American 
continent." 

Philadelphia  medical  an(^  physical  joiumal.  Phila.,  1805. 
vol.  1,  pt.  2.     pp.  79-90.     BF. 

A  letter  by  Harry  Toulmin,  republished  from  the  'Kentucky  Pallad- 
ium," telling  of  some  Welsh-Indians  in  America.  To  this  is  added  an  unfa- 
vorable discussion  by  B:  Smith  Barton. 

Southey,  Robert.     Madoc.     Edin.,  1805.     H. 

The  poem  is  based  upon  the  Welsh  claim,  which  Southey  seems  to  believe. 

Lewis,  Meriwether,  The  travels  of  Capts.  Lewis  and  Clarke. 
London,  1809.     p.  5>.15.     H. 

The  claims  set  forth,  I  it  no  opinion  expressed. 

Stoddard,  Amos.  Sk«>tehes.  historical  and  descriptive,  of 
Louisiana.     Piiila,,  1812.     pp.  405-488,     H. 

A  fa.'orable  d'scussion  of  the  subject, 

Pinkerton,  .1:  A  general  collection  of  the  best  and  most  inter- 
esting Toyages  and  travels  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  London, 
1812.     12:157—1814.     17:xxiv.     H. 

In  12:  \Tu:  'That  the  country  [Madoc]  went  to  was  really  America,  is 
more,  1  think,  Uv.iU  can  be  thoroughly  proved:  but  that  this  tale  wuh  invented 
after  the  discovery  of  that  country,  on  purimse  to  set  up  a  prior  title,  is  most 
certainly  false."  In  17:  sxiv,  the  Welsli  claim  is  spoken  of  as  "a  ridiculous 
Welsh  ta  j." 

Brackenridge,  H.  M.  Views  of  Louisiana,  Bait.,  1817.  pp. 
166-170.     H. 

Speaks  of  Welsh  remains  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  but  considers 
it  impossible  that  any  such  exist. 


PRE-COLUMBIAN    DISCOVERIES   OF    AMERICA.        147 

Biographie  universelle.    Mmloo.    Paris,  1820.    26:95-96.    //. 
OiveH  Madoc'8  claim,  but  expresses  no  opinion. 

o.  y**f*»'/^  •  y.-  ^^  '""'  Moulton,  .[(.sepli  White.     History  of  the 
State  of  New  York.     X.  V.,  1824.     pp.  l.Vr)?.     //. 

Gives  an  extended  dii^cnssion,  and   expresses  his  own  doubt  on  the 

P  U  ^  J  V-  ^  1 1 

■     **urray,  Hugh.     Historical  uccount  of  discovorios  and  travels 
HiAorth  Amorioa.     London,  1829.     1:12-18.     //. 
Murray  believes  Madoc  went  to  Spain. 

„^  Priest,  Josiah.     American  antiquities,  and  discoveries  m  the 
West.     Albany,  1833.     pp.  224-240.     //. 

Favorable. 

Oooley,  W :  D('s})or()ugh.  Hi.story  of  maritime  and  inland  dis- 
covery. (Lardnor's  cabinet  eyclopcedia.)  London,  1830.  1:215.  //. 
j.^j^y';^,'J^orable.    This   book  was    reprinted   in    the  "Edinburgh   cabinet 

Dupaix,  Guillanme.    Antiquites  mexicaines.    Paris,  1834.   BA. 

In  1 :  4ft-.')0  is  a  fii voral)le  article  by  Francois  C :  Farcy ;  in  1 :  154-158  is  an 
unfavorable  one  l)y  1) :  Bailie  Warden.  j' ,    »  i  •  im  loo  i.  an 

Humboldt^  F :  H :  Alexander  von.  Exaraen  critirjue  de  I'his- 
toire  de  la  geograi)hie  du  nouveai;  continent.  Paris,  1837.  2- 
142-149.     H. 

Unfavorable 

Rafinesque,  Constantine  Smaltz.  The  Vmerican  nations. 
Phi  la.,  1836.    2:  281.     H. 

Favorable. 

North  American  review.    Boston,  July,  1888.     47:179.    H. 
Claim  mentioned,  but  no  opinion  expressed. 

Gentleman's  magazine.     London,  1840.     10:103-105.     H. 

A  favorable  article  by  Theophilus  Evans. 

Catlin,  G.  Letters  and  notes  on  the  manners,  customs,  and 
condition  of  the  Xorth  American  Indians.  N.  Y.,  1842  1-  200- 
2:  A  pp.  A.     //. 

at  tin's °U  ''/'^'"^^'y  landed  at  Flcrida,  or  else  entered  the  Missiusippl  river 


148       PKE-COLUMIJIAN    DISC'OVEKIKS    OB^    AMERICA. 


Colombo,  Cristofoi  >.  Select  letters;  ed.  by  R:  H:  Miijor. 
(Hakluyt  Socitty.)     London,  1847.     pp.  xxiii-xxv.     //. 

Mailoc's  claim  considered  inii)r()bal)ie,  but  i)y  no  means  impossible. 

Robinson,  Conwiiy.  Afcount  of  discoveries  in  the  West  until 
151!),  and  of  vovfif,'es  to  nnd  alon^'  the  Atlantie  coast  of  North 
America,  from  ir>!>0  to  1573.     HiclniK.nd,  1848.     )>p.  10-11.     //. 

Tl>e  cittim  mentioned,  l»ut  no  opinion  expressed. 

Alexander,  6'/r  James  E :  L'Acudie.  London,  1849.  1:89- 
90.     BA. 

Favorable. 

Cambrian  Archaeological  Association.  Archa>ologia  Cam- 
brensis.     London,  1849.     4:05.     ILM. 

The  article  by  R.  and  M.,  fiivin^  two  commnnicntions  in  regard  to  the 
Welsh  claim,  which  ajipeared  in  the  "London  Times"  in  184G. 

War  burton,  G  :  The  conquest  of  Canada.  N.  Y.,  1850.  1 : 
35-3(5.     //. 

Unfavorable. 

Haven,  S:  F:  Ardurolojjy  of  the  United  States.  {Tn  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  C«)ntril)utions  to  knowledge.  Wash.,  1850. 
V.  8,  art.  1.     pp.  10.  20.  31,  35.     //.) 

The  account  is  given,  but  no  opinion  expressed. 

Palfrey,  J:  Gorham.  History  of  New  England.  Boston,  1858. 
1 :59.     II. 

The  author  says  that  (he  story  is  not  without  important  corrol)oration,  but 
that  if  Welshmen  settled  in  America,  it  was  in  Florida  or  west  of  the  Missis- 
pippi. 

Brasseur   de   Bourbourg,   C:   l<]tienne,   Vahhi.     Popul   Vuh. 
Paris,  1801.     !>.  Ixi.     //. 
Unfavorable. 

Nouvelle  biographic    generale.    jNIadoc.     Paris,    1863.    32: 

634-0:i5.     II. 

Gives  the  account  of  Madoc,  and  adds,  "  If  there  is  any  truth  in  the  story, 
Mftdoc  probably  landed  to  the  North  of  Virginia." 

Zeitschrift  fiir  allgemeipe  Erdkunde.  TJerlin,  Ai>ril,  1804. 
DM.     Ostasien  und  Westatnerica,  von  K :  F.  Neumann. 

In  favor  of  the  populating  of  America  from  Asia.  Contains  the  claim  of 
Iloei  Shin,  which  the  writer  believes. 

American  bibUopollst.    N.  Y.,  Feb.,  1869.     pp.  47-50.     //. 

An  excellent  bibliography  of  the  Madoc  claim. 


PRE-COLUMHIAX    DISCOVERIES    OF    AMERICA.        U9 

Oaflfarel,  Paul      Ktiuh-s  sur  \vs  rapports  .U-  |'A„K'ri(nu.  ot  -l*. 
2l7-23l'!  ^i';l.'"'"^  "^""*  ^''"•i«t<.pl.o  (' .l,„„l,.     I'aris.  lioU.     pp. 

Favorable. 
/Ar^*'^f'   ^ '•     I^'^f'"'>it'ii<»u-v  historv  of    the    State    of    Maino 

Claim  of  Madoc  nu'iitiont'd,  l)iit  no  view  expn'ssed. 
285?28-?^/°''^"  ^^*"'''""*     '^"^•'^"t  A.m.riea.     X.  V.,  1872.     pp. 
The  auttior  "fuflK  skeptical." 

m»„*i^^?M'''''  '^"'n"-,  ,;}  .'""""'>■  "f  "'«  <*«i-net"  nii'l  achieve- 
So     JsJ'    '"'■"'""'  '  '"•"""I'l"'"-  Columlms.    N.  Y.,  1874.    pp. 

Favorable. 

Qravier,   GabnVl.     I),'eoiivorto  do   rAmc'rlquc    par   lo.s    Nor. 
muiuls  an  10«  siOclo.     Pari.s  1874.     pp.  143-145.     B^ 

Favorable. 

ofA^:'?S-i./.i-r.S  ""■'''■    "■    *"-"'"-«i-vory 

Unfavorable. 

Bryant,  W:  Culloii,  ^/«r/  Oay,  Sidney  Howard.     Popular  his- 
tory ol  the  United  States.     X.  V  .  1870.     1 :  6G-70.     //  '    '"'^  "'^ 

Considers  the  Madoc  claim  doubtful. 


Pacific  States 


Bancroft,  Hubert  Howe.    The  native  races  of  the 
of  North  America.     N.  Y.,  1870.     5:110-121.     //. 
The  author  seemn  to  be  doubtful. 

Short,  J :  T.    The  North  Americans  of  antiquity.    N.  Y.,  1879. 
•'The  chronicle  on  which  the  claim  is  based  is  wanting  in  authority." 


150       "KK-CoiaiMIJIAN    DISUOVKKIKS    OK    AMKKICA. 


V.     DFSCOVKUY    FiY  TlIK   VKNOTIANS. 

Zeno,  Nicolo  and  Aiitoi  io.  De  i  coiiinii'iilnrii  del  via^'^'io  in 
Porsiii  di  M.  Cjilnrino  Zciiol  K.  »•  dcllc  ;;nt'rn'  I'lilli'  iicll'  imiK'nO 
I'oi'siaiio,  dal  lfiii|H)  di  rssii.icassiiiio  in  iiiia.  \A\n'i  duo.  K  dollo 
st'oprinu'iilo  dell'  isolc  Krislaiida,  Ksianda.  Kii^M'ovflaiida.  Kstofi- 
laiida,  ('  l(*aria,  fatto  sotlo  il  I'nlo  Artico  da  diu>  rratdii  Zciii,  M. 
Nic'dlo  il  K.  0  ^I.  Aiitoiiii).  I^iliro  uiio.  ('on  un  dis('j;;n»)  uartico- 
laivdi  tuttc  K'  di'tlo  parlodi  tranionlanada  lor  scoprrti'.  Ncni'tia. 
1558.     pi>.  45-58.     liM. 

Thin  hiM>k  coiiHisIs  of  IctttTH  collected  hy  Nicoh)  Zciio.  who  Hiiyw  tlu-y 
wort'  the  rorri'spoiuU'mt'  hi-twoi-ii  his  niui'sioix,  Nicolo  iiikI  Aiilonio  Zoiio, 
bftwiH'ii  Uu-  yearn  i;iS()  uiul  U04.  He  hiivh  llu'  irtli'ix,  wilii  a  man,  liad  re- 
inainod  in  posst'SHion  of  (he  family  until  lie  saw  tlii-ir  valui'  and  had  them 
|iiil)l!i«lu'(l  In  tlicHc  lotttTH  is  a  very  circnmHtaniial  aceonnt  of  thi'  landH 
montioni'd  iji  tile  litlo.  Tlio  pnhliclu'r  wan  i"'ranro!<i'<;  Marcolini.  The  coi)y 
in  the  Uriti8h  Mii^cnm  in  wttliont  tlie  nntp. 

Ramusio,  Ciiain  Mattista.  Dcllo  navi;;ationi  e  via^jgi.  Venc- 
zia.  1550-59.     [An  edition,  Vcnozia,  1583.     pi).  230-233.     //.] 

The  story,  taken  from  Marcollni'n  book,  i«  given  in  full. 

Ortelius,  Alii-aliani.  Thoulnini  orbis  tenannn.  Anvcrs,  1575. 
fol.  00.     //. 

The  whole  account  is  given  in  Latin,  with  the  map. 

Hakluytfli:  Prini'ipall  navipition.s  voia^'os,  jind  discoveries 
of  till'  Kn^lish  nation,  London,  1589.  [An  odition,  London, 
1810.     3:  157-100.     //.] 

Ilakluyt  given  perfect  credence  to  the  Zeni  voyage,  and  innertn  In  full  a 
trannlation  of  the  work  of  Marcolini. 

Mercator,  (icrard.  Atlas,  sive  p'Ofjrapliiou?  nu'dilationes  do 
fabrica  niiindi  el  fabrioata  tii(nra.  Diiisboiirj;,  155)5.  [An  edition, 
nndor  the  title  of  "  IlistoriaMundi,"  London,  1035.  pp.  25,  30-31, 
34-35.     //.] 

Speaks  of  Entntiland  as  a  nart  of  America,  and  tells  what  Zeno  nays  about 
Greenland  and  Iceland,  though  he  npeakn  as  if  the  Zeni  ntorv  was  not  very  well 
authenticated,  lie  does  not  nceni  to  have  known  that  the  Zeni  discovered,  or 
even  arrived  at,  Estotiland, 

Wytfliet,  Cornelius.  Deseriptionis  Ptolemaica^  augmentum. 
Lovanii.  1607.    p.  188.     //. 

Mention  in  here  made  of  the  Zeni  voyage;  and  on  the  map  of  America 
which  Wyttliet  given,  Labrador  is  called  Estotiland.  Thus  Wytttlet  is  the  first 
to  connect  the  Zeni'«  discoveries  with  any  part  of  America. 

Botero,  Giovanni.  Relaciones  universales  del  nmndu.  Valla- 
dolid,  1603.     pp.  183  reverse-184.    H. 


PRE-rOLtJMIirAN    DISCOVKRIES    OF    AMERICA. 


151 


SnyH  thai  Nirolo  Zcni  (lincovorod  tlu;  iHli!  of  Frixlainl,  mid  uIho  the  Ifilc  of 
I)r(i;;i(i;  Itiil  nayn  nothing  nf  Anierica. 

Purchas,  S:  Piircluis,  his  iiilgriiiiH;,^'.  lioiidon,  1625.  3:610- 
011      7/. 

The  /fiii  story  is  licliovttd  in  tlit^  inaiii,  hut  no  iiicntion  Ih  inudu  of  Amer- 
ica in  coiiiii-ctioii  with  it. 

PontanuB,  I:    Itctiiin  Danit-Ht'iiiii  lii.sloiia.    AinHlohjilanii,  1031. 

Pf..  7r)r>-76r).    np. 

Ui'Tv.  till!  Zciii  Htory  is  giv«'n  in  full,  and  the  author  H<;t!inH  to  agree  with 
Wytflift,  to  whoiu  he  refers,  that  the  Zeni  went  to  Labrador. 

Fox,  CV/»/.  Ltikc.     Nortli-wcst  Fox.    Loiidoii,  1035.    t)!).  5-12. 

Cli. 

The  priiitiuL'of  this  book  is  wry  Iniperfeet  and  confusing.  Th(!  Zeni  Htory 
iR  ^jiven  at  length,  taken  from  ilakluyt.  Considers  llie  lands  discovered  to  be 
portions  of  America. 

OrotiuB,  II tip).  Dt!  oriLTiiH!  f^oiifiiitti  AiiHTiciiimnini  dissertatio. 
Aiiist.,  104'i.  [All  «mI.  imldislicd  in  Pctriis  All)iiiiis'  "Commetitatio 
do  liiif^iii.s  |icrt,'griiiis  ut(|ii(i  iiisiUis  if^notis."  Vili-bergao,  1714.  p. 
39.    BM.\ 

Speaks  of  Kstotiland  as  ji  part  of  the  American  continent,  and  says  that 
the  Zeni  discovered  Frisland,  but  the  author  does  not  seem  to  have  known  that 
they  claimed  also  the  discovery  of  Estotilund. 

Morisctus,  ('laiuliiis  Bartholonmeiis.  Orbis  iiiaritimi  .sivc  rorum 
in  iiiaii  ct  littoribiis  gestarum  gencralis  historia.  Divionc,  1643. 
p.  593.     JiJJ. 

Favorable. 

Laet,  J:  do.  Notao  ad  dissortatioiioin  Htij^fmis  Orotii  de  originc 
gentiiiin  Anifiicananim.  Paris,  1043.  pp.  20-22.  JJ.  [Also, 
Ainst.,  1044.     pp.  11-12.     7/.] 

We  here  read,  "The  Zeni  story  is  deserving  of  sus|)ici<m." 

La  Mothe  le  Vayer,  Fraii(;c)is  do.  La  p'og!-apiii<:  dii  [)rincc. 
Paris,  1051.     [In  his  (Euvros.     3"  ed.     Paris,  1002.     |..  819.     //.] 

Favorable. 

HorniuB,  G:  Do  orij^iiiihus  Ainorieaiiis.  Ilagao  Coniitis,  1062. 
pp.  155-150.     //. 

Unfavorable.  "Such  errors,  so  widely  diffused,  must  be  expunged,  that 
the  remarks  of  impostors  may  not  be  considered  true  by  those  who  are  unac- 
quainted with  the  mutter." 

Hornius,  G:    Ulyssca.     Liigdiiiii,  1671.     p.  335.     BM. 

Mentions  the  Zeni  voyage,  which  he  believes,  considering  Eototiland  to  be 
either  Scotland  or  Scctland. 


152      I'KK-roi.iMiiiAN   ihs(;<»vi:kiks  ok  amkkkia. 


Montanus,  AriK^hlus.  IV  iiit-uwi"  vn  oiilMknitli'  wccrcld.  Anisl., 
1071.     p.  'Jl>.     //. 

F«vural)lo. 

Riccioli,.! :  |{ii|iti>(ii.  (ifoi^rnpliiao  ct  liv*li'<>Ki''>l*''i"*'  i'<>f()niifita('. 
Voii.>liis.  \i\V2.     p.  H\).     //.]/. 

Shvh  that  ill  l:Wl  tlu-  Znii  HMllfd  tn  LalinidDr,  to  wliicli  soiiio  KriHlaiid  AhIi- 
rrnii'ii  liati  alrt'.'tilv  iiciiitrati'il  altoiit  i;tl(),  aiiit  that  l.alirailor  ix  dhidcd  from 
llsiolilard  1>>  llif  livt-r  Nivosiis,  usually  talli-d  Kin  Ncvadit. 

Beemann,.! :  ('.  Ilistoria  orliis  tcri'aniiii  p'o^i'Mpliioi  t>t  civilis. 
I'laiitof.  Mil  Oilciiim..  107:5.     |;{'' nl.     1085.     pp.  152   15;{.      liM.] 

Speaks  of  I'ri-laiid  as  |)i<tl»altl.v  a  sinall  island  of  Noitli  Anicrira.  Says 
t!>ai  not  luui-li  is  Iviiowii  aiioiit  it,  lull  that  Orlt'lius  tclitt  us  it  was  <lisrovi-ri-d 
liy  Nii'olo  Zi'iio. 

Torfatjus, 'riionnodiis.  llistoria  Viiilaiidia'  aiili(|iia'.  Ilaviiiac. 
1705.     I'lvfacv.     //. 

"Tho  storit'"'  \vlii<'li  an-  told  of  tin-  Zfiii  may  hi-  trut'."  Also.  "I  do  not 
(iuarr«'l  alioiii  llu-  nanic,  sii.tf  Sa.ison  d"AI>lii'\  ilic  anil  tin-  rciTiil  Lrconraplirrs 
rt'<'o>:ni/.('  TrriMni  Novani  l<al)oratoris  and  Kslolilandiain  as  synonynioiis;  y»'t 
I  suspt'it  tliai  iliis  is  not  tlu'  saino  land  us  tin-  Zt-ni  di'scrllu'.'" 

Stiiven, .1 :  !•':  IV  vffo  .\«tvi  Orliis  invculdic  disstTlal  io  Iiislorico- 
critira.     Kfaiicof.  a.  M..  1711.     pp.  ;i5-;{({.     //. 

Infavoraldc.  Kully  rfCo;;niz*'s  that  llic  Zi-ni  story  was  a  claim  to  the  dia- 
covi'iy  «>f  Amorion. 

Foscarini,  M  :  Delia  U'ttoi-atiii-a  vciic/iaiia.  Padovu,  1763.  1: 
40(5- UK'^.      //. 

Till'  Noyaiic  of  iln'  Z«'iii  is  liivcn  as  an  autliontif  pioci-  of  history,  with  rcf- 
crrnco-  to  Mairoliuis  liook;  hut  no  (•omu''ti«m  with  .Vmi'rlca  is  siij^g^''*'*'''- 

Tiraboschi,  (Jii'olaino.  Sforia  dclln  let tt'fal lira  ilaliana.  ^hi- 
doiia.  1772  H7.     (2d  nl..  .MiuU-na.  17H!>.     5:  i;?2-i;r>.     //.) 

(lives  tho  ZiMii  slory,  of  whiih  Tirahoxchi  savs,  "The  jiidjjmont  <if  C'h. 
Foscarini  alone.  wIki  has  not  the  least  d«)uhl  of  t1ie  sineority  of  the  ftory,  is 
siitllcient  to  make  me  believe  it." 

Forster,  ,1:  Koiiiholdt.  Ooscliiclilo  dor  oiildcckiingon  und 
sohilTahrtoii  iin  XordtMi.  Frankfurt.  17S4.  [An  Knfj^lish  transla- 
tion, under  the  titlo  of  '•  llistorv  «>f  vovajros  and  dlscovorics  in  the 
North."     London.  17S6.     pp.  r78-200;     //.) 

Favorable.  Tonsiders  Estland  to  be  Shetland;  En^roneland,  Greenland; 
Eptotlland.  Newfoundland;  and  Drogio,  Florida. 

Institut  de  France.  Acodemie  des  Sciences.  Ilistoiro  pour 
1784.  Paris.  1787.  pp.  430-453.  Momoire  sur  Tile  de  Prisland, 
par  M.  Buache.     //. 


PRK-(;<)F,nMIUAN    lUSCMiVKIUKS    (H-     AMIilCICA.         153 


(iivc^  tlic  /.I'lii  inii|i,  will)  a  loiiu  illHCM^HiiMi  of  the  r'lilijrct,  llic  aiilluir 
nrrlviiiK  nt  llir  ('oni'liiHidii  tlinl  the  r.laliii  \»  wi  II  foiUKlnl. 

Monthly  review.     liumloii,  ITHM.     7H:  Kl.*)  \m.     II. 

'I'lic  i('\  iiwci  iiT  IIiim(Iu''m  Memoir  hlatcH,  "  \Vr  tld  nut  kimvv  wtil(  li  of  llic 
Cdiilfiidinu  it.'iillts  Ik  ii:,'hl." 

EggerH,  II:  V:  \^)\\.  rrlici- <lit'  wulirc  liij^c  dfs  nlloi  Osl^'Win- 
Intxls.     Kit'l,  iiiM.     pp.  IMMK).      //. 

Ill'  ((mHliUTM  the  iKToiiiit  liiir,  hilt  JM  iiiKcrtalii  \vli(llnr  the  Zciil  <arne  to 
Aiiirrlia. 

Belknap,  .If'ifiiiv.    Aiiicriiim  lii(»;,'fiipliv.     hnsldii.  I7!M,     1:07- 

'I'lic  Zciil  imrrativf  in  here  u'lven,  wlih  h  the  iiiilli<»r  (reditu  in  part ;  hut  lie 
(iocK  not  helit've  that  the  /eiii  eanie  any  Inrtlier  went  lli.iii  (ireenland. 

Boucher  de  la  Kicharderio,  (lilies.  Mililinlliefpie  tiiiiveix'llc 
<l('s  V()ya;;cs.      Paris    IHOH.      1 : ',;{  51.      //. 

"  It  is  to-day  coniidetcly  proved  that  (he  famoiiH  rhart  of  tin  hc  /eiii  l)rt.>Hi 
CPK  iiidieatt'H  ii  jiart  of  Aiiieriea." 

Zurla.  PIjH'ido,  Disserla/ioiie  iiilnnid  ai  viaj;^;!  c  sc^oportc  scf,- 
t((nlri<)inili  (li  Nicolo  cd  Aiiloiiio  Zciii.     X'eiiezia.  IHOH.     ///'. 

Favoruhl«!  Ad  <!.\hiiii(*tive  diHCiiHcloii  of  the;  niilijiMt.  Tlic^  Zeiii  «hurt  in 
added. 

Annales  des  Voyages.  Paris,  1810.  10:72  87.  //.  Tabloaii 
hisloriqiii!  (Ics  (ieeoiivcilcs  ct,  ^(''(»^faplii(|ii('s  dcs  SctitHliiiavcs  on 
Noniiamls;  paf  Maitc-IJrim. 

Here  is  a  copy  of  ti»e  Zeni  chart,  with  a  favorabh'  diHCiiHsion. 

Pinkerton,  .1 :  A  p'ticnii  collect  ioii  of  llic  Itcst  and  most  inter- 
esting' vovap's  jtnd  triivols  in  all  parts  of  tlio  world.  London,  1814. 
17:xxiv.'  //. 

Says  of  the  voynKc  of  the  Zoiil  that  it  "iiidicatcH  the  existence  of  islands 
far  to  tho  northwest. " 

Quarterly  review.    London,  Oct.,  1816.     16: 165,  note,  H. 
Favorable. 

Malte-Brun,  Conrad.  ^'rccis  do  la  pfcograpliio  nnivcrstllo. 
Paris,  1817.     pp.  280,  289.     //. 

Expresses  faith  in  the  Zeni  story,  but  says  nothing  of  America. 

Zurla,  Placido.  Di  Marco  Polo  c  dogli  altri  viaggiatori  venezi- 
ani.     Vono/.ia.  1818.     pp.  3-U4.     HP. 

The  portion  of  this  worlt  which  relates  to  the  Zeni  is  little  more  than  a 
reprint  of  the  author's  work  publiubcd  iu  1806. 


164        I'KK-COLUMHIAN      )ISC<)VKKIKS   (>F    AMKKK^A. 


i 


Barrow,  iSVr  .1 :  A  clii'oiioloj^icHl  history  of  voyages  into  the 
Arctic  regions.     London,  1818.     pp.  13-26. '  //. 

Fftvornblc. 

Daru,  P:  Anioinc  Noi'l  Ilruno.  Ilistoirc  dc  I«  n'puhliqnc  lin 
Venisc.     I'jiris,  1811).     [5i«  cd.     Paris,  1821.     0;  205-298.     //.J 

I'lifavoriiblo. 

Hoff,  K.  Krnst  Adolf  von.  fJcscliiclito  der  durcli  ilhcrliofornng 
nachgcwioscnon  natilrliclicn  vcrilndcrnngcn  dcr  crdobcrfliiche. 
Gotlm.  1822.     1:178-202.     JJJJ. 

Favorable. 

Biographic  universelle.    Zeno.    Paris,  1828.   52:228-238.    I/. 
Inclined  to  be  favorable. 

Irving,  Washington.  History  of  the  lifo  and  vovngcs  of  Chris- 
topher t'ohnnbus.     London,  1828.     pp.  217-224.     //. 

Here  the  Zeni  question  is  (liscnpsed  at  ureat  lenKlh,  and  Irving  pavs,  "The 
whole  story  resembles  much  tlie  fables  circulated  shortly  after  the  discovery 
of  folumbus,  to  arrofe'ate  to  other  nations  and  individuals  the  credit  of  the 
achievement."' 

Murray,  Hugh.  Historical  account  of  discoveries  and  travels 
in  North  America.     London,  182J).     1:28-36.     //. 

Unfavorable.  Murray  thinks  that  Ksfotiland  was  Ireland;  Drogio,  Spain 
or  the  south  of  France;  and  Estland,  Shetland. 

Oooley,  W:  Desborough.  History  of  mnritime  and  inland  dis- 
coverv.  (Lardners  cabinet  cyclopuHiia.)  London,  1830.  1:221- 
225.  "//. 

Favorable.  Considers  Engroneland  to  be  (Jrecnland;  Kstotiland,  New- 
foundland ;  and  Drogio,  Nova  Scotia  or  New  England,  This  book  was  reprinted 
in  the  "Edinburgh  cabinet  library." 

Biddle,  li:  A  memoir  of  Sebastian  Cabot.  London,  1831.  pp. 
328-332.     //. 

Speaks  of  the  Zen!  claim  as  "  that  memorable  fraud." 

Priest,  Josiah.  American  antiquities,  and  disco verios  in  the 
West.    Albany,  1833.     pp.  224-240.    //. 

Favorable. 

Leslie,  J:,  Jameson,  Robert,  and  Murray,  Hugh.  Narrative 
of  discovery  and  adventure  in  the  Polar  Seas  and  Regions.  N.Y., 
1833.     pp.  88-89.    H. 

Of  the  Zeni  claim  the  authors  say,  "  We  incline  to  think  that  the  passages 
which  have  suggeBted  this  conchision  are  cither  misanderstood  or  interpo- 
lated." 


rRE-CO!,UMIllAX    lUSC'OVKHIKS    OK    AMIOKICA. 


155 


the 


ive 


;es 


Nordiik  Tidsskrift  for  Oldkyndighed.  Kj(ilK-iiimvn,  1B33. 
1:1-IJ5.  //.  Mcmiicrkninj^t'r  oiii  (If  W'licziaiicnic  Zciii  (ilskrcviic 
rcisoi'  i  Nnnlcii.  vi-d  (':  ('.  Ziilirtiiitinn. 

Uiifavoralilc.  SayHtliat  tlicrliart  wan  coinpilcd  from  licarnay  inrrtrinntion, 
that  FriHlaiid  Ih  tin-  VvriW  iHlaiidf,  and  tliat  tlio  ntory  in  reploto  wltli  llclion. 

Dupaix.  ((iiilliiiiinc.  AMti<|iii(('s  iiicxicaiiics.  I'tiris,  1834.  1: 
162-108.  JiA.  WcclicrclK's  sur  Ics  jiiitifjiiiU's  dc  rAnu'rifjuc  dii 
Nord  c'l  (!•'  rAm('rif|ii('  du  Slid,  par  D:  !<ailic  Warden. 

Favoraldf.  Tin-  claiiii  is  almi  incntioiuHl  in  an  article  l)y  Fran<;oiH  C:  Karry 
(v.  1,  no.  II,  J).  51),  l)iit  nil  view  i-  «'X|)rt'Htfi'd. 

Zahrtmann,  ( ' :  ( '.  Kcinarks  on  the  voyu^os  to  Uio  Northrrn 
Ili'mbplicrc  ascrihcd  to  tlic  Zcni  of  Venice.  (lioyal  (ieo{,'raphieal 
Soc.)     London,  1835.     ,'i:103s(|.     ///'. 

TliiH  Ih  very  iniicli  tlit-  Haino  nrticic  as  that  in  tlu;  "  Nordink  TidBHkrift." 

Rafinesque,    ('onstaiitiiie    Suuiltz.      The    Ainorican    nations. 
Phila..  1836.     2:!>82.     //. 
Favorable. 

Humboldt,  1'^:  11:  Alexander  von,     Examen  fTitiqno  de  I'his- 

toiic  de  la  j^eographie  dii  noiiveaii  e.ontinetit.    Paris,  1837.    2:  120- 

124.     //. 

"The  isolation  of  farts,  and  tiic  abHcncc  of  all  rccriniitiation.  remove  all 
Biispicion  of  deception,  wliile  the  extreme  confusion  in  the  distai)(;es  and  day? 
of  nailinj;  weem  to  prove  the  disijnler  in  the  (•ompilatii>n,  and  the  sad  condition 
of  these  manuscripts,  which  the  dcscendatits  of  the  voyaj,'ers  Zeno  confcsH  to 
have  torn  in  pieces,  hein^  i;;norant  of  their  value." 

North  American  review.    Boston,  July,  1838,   47:177-206.  H. 

A  favorable  article  by  Hon.  (i:  Folsom, 

Malte-Brun,  Conrad.     (}(jofj;rai>hio   universclle.     Pari.s,  1841. 

1:207-211.     //. 

Favorable.  Considers  Kstotiland  to  be  Newfoundland;  and  Drogio,  Nova 
Scotia  and  New  Kn),'land. 

Orbnlands  Historiske  Mindegmaerker.  Kj()bcnhavn,  1845. 
3 :  52fl-624.     //. 

An  exhaustive  article,  by  J.  II.  Brcdsdorf,  in  favor  of  the  claim, 

Colombo,  (^ristoforo.  Select  letters;  cd.  l)y  It:  II:  Major. 
(Hakluyt  Society.)     London,  1847.     pp.  xxv-xxvii.     //. 

Zcni  claim  mentioned  by  Mr.  Major,  but  no  opinion  expressed. 

Robinson,  Conway.  An  account  of  discoveries  in  the  West 
until  1519,  and  of  voyages  to  and  along  the  Atlantic  coast  of  North 
America,  from  1520  "to  1573.     Richmond,  1848.     pp.  11-20.    H. 

Unfavorable. 


156       PRE-COLUMBIAN    DISCOVEPIES    OF    AMERICA. 


Lelewel,  Jonchiin. 
4:79-108.    JiP. 


(jreo{;nv|)hi(>  du  rnoycn  ri^'c.     Brnx.,  1852. 


:a 


The  (liociissioii  is  chiolly  in  rPRiinl  to  \\\v  map.  ConsirtcrH  Rf>tlnnd  to  bo 
Shetland:  Frishind,  thcFerOo  IhIih;  Kstdtiliiiid,  tiic  nioutliofthc  St.  Lawrence; 
and  Drogio,  Nova  Scotia  and  New  England. 

Haven,  S:F.  Archii'olojjy  of  the  Unitod  States.  {In  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  Contriltutions  to  knowledge.  Wash.,  185G. 
V.  8,  art.  1.     pp.  10-11.     //.) 

Zenl  story  mentioned,  but  no  opinion  expressed. 

BraAseur  de  Bourbourg,  (':  I'jticiiiie.  Vnhhe.  Histoirc  des 
nations  civilisees  du  Mexiciue  ct  de  rAmerique-Centrale.  Paris, 
1857.     1 :  23.     H. 

Favorable. 

Palfrey,  J :  Gornam.  History  of  New  England.  Boston,  1858. 
1 : 59-60.     H. 

Claim  mentioned,  hnt  no  opinion  expressed. 

Peschel,  Oscar  Ferdinand.  Geschichte  des  zeitalters  der 
entdeekungen.     Stuttg.  ii.  Augsb.,  1858.     p.  107.     //. 

Vnfavorable. 

Domenech,  Em.,  Vabbe.  Seven  years'  residence  in  the  Great 
Deserts  of  North  America.     London,  1860.     1:60.     HP. 

Claim  mentioned,  but  no  opinion  expressed. 

Aflher,  G:M.  Henry  Hudson  the  navigator.  (Hakluyt  Soci- 
ety.)   London,  1860.     pp.  clxiv-tlxvii.     //. 

He  says  that  in  solving  the  Zcni  question,  "  No  very  satisfactory  result  has 
yet  been  attained." 

Qaffarel,  Paul.  Etudes  sur  les  ram)orts  de  rAmerique  et  de 
I'Ancien  Continent  avant  Christophe  Colomb.  Paris,  1869.  pp. 
261-379.     HP. 

Favorable.  Considers  Frlesland  to  be  the  FeWie  Isles ;  Estland,  Shetland ; 
Bres,  Bressa;  Minant,  Mainland;  Island,  I'ust;  Talus,  Teal;  Broas,  Buras; 
Trans,  Tronda;  Kngroveland,  Oreenland;  Icaria,  Anticosti,  Prince  Edward 
Island,  or  Batflns  Laud;  Estotiland,  Labrador  or  Newfoundland ;  andDrogeo, 
Nova  Scotia  or  New  England. 

Willis,  W:  Documentarv  history  of  the  State  of  Maine. 
(Maine  Hist.  Soc.  2d  ser.,  v."  1.)  Portland,  1869.  vol.1.  His- 
torv  of  the  discovery  of  the  East  Coast  of  North  America,  by  J.  G. 
Kohl.     pp.  93-106.'  //. 

Favorable.  A  map  of  the  Zeni  discoveries  is  given,  and  conjectures  as  to 
the  particular  spots  arc  offered. 


rifi 


II 


I'KE-COLUMniAX    DISCO VKKIKS    OF    AMEKICA. 


157 


line. 

iHis- 

G. 

las  to 


De  Oosta,  lirr.  H:  Fnuikliii.  Tho  Northman  in  Maine. 
Albany.  ISTO.     pp.  ;{0-4'2.     //. 

"Thf  clinrtof  the  Znii  hrolliiTH,'  in  Kolils  work,  is  criticised 

De  Oosta,  liir.  \\\  Fnuikliii.  Coluinlms  and  tlu'  googniphors 
of  the  North.     Ilaitfoni,  18T','.     pp.  10-;22.     //. 

He  hrrc  (liscuHHOH  the  prolxiliility  tliat  Colniiil»iin  liad  sorn  tlic  ZcmiI  mnp. 

Oornhill  magazine.     liOiidon,  Oit.,   1873.     pp.  45;j-4.')4.     //. 

Logciids  of  Old  America. 

"Tlip  Aincrican  portions  of  Zcnos  voynyi'  nrc  prolxihly  notliing  morr 
than  II  (iuinsy  interpolation  into  a  uciuiinc  narrative  of  an  Italiiin  niercliantn 
travels.""  Tliis  artielo  was  reprinted  in  "Litlell's  livinj;  a;ie,'"  boston,  1«73. 
no.  1541,  I).  765.    II. 

Zeno,  Nicolo  and  Antonio.  Voyaf,'es,  by  U:  II:  .Major.  (Ilak- 
liiyt  Society.)     London,  187J5.     //. 

Contains  tlie  whole  of  Mnrcolini's  worii  in  tlie  orij^final,  to'.'ctlier  wifli  a 
translation.  A  favorabh'  Intro<luction  is  preti.\ed,  with  a  eopy  of  tlic  Zeni 
cluirt  and  some  other  maps. 

Qravier,  Gabriel.  Di'coiiverto  do  rAiju'-riqiic  par  Icsi  Xorinands 
au  x"  sicdo.     Paris,  1874.     pp.  18a-211.     HP. 

Favoral)lc.    A  copy  of  tlie  chart.    PlaccH  identified. 

Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  Proceedings.  Boston, 
1875.  Proc.  for  Oc;!.,  1874.  pp.  ;i52-3()<).  //.  [Mm  separately 
issued.  Boston,  1875.  //.]  On  the  voyages  of  the  Venetian 
brothers  Zeno,  by  H:  II:  Major. 

Thin  is  a  resume,  with  the  Zeni  map,  of  Major's  larger  work  on  the  sub- 
ject. 

Goodrich,  Aaron.  A  historv  of  the  character  and  achievements 
of  the  so-called  Christopher  Columbus.  X.  Y.,  1874.  pp.  90-91. 
BI\ 

Favoral)le. 

Bartlett,  .1:  Russell.  Bibliotheca  Americana:  a  catalogue  of 
books  relating  to  North  and  South  America,  in  the  librarv  of  the 
late  J:  Carter  Brown.     Providciuv.  1875.     1:  .211-21:5.     if. 

Clives  tiie  Zeni  map.  Tlie  l)il>liM-i;ipliy  of  the  siih.jert  is  ronsjilered.  The 
author  says,  "It  re(|iiires  few  ar;riinicnts  in  -liow  the  utter  fulsityof  the  state- 
ments made  in  the  narrative  of  the  Zeni,  w  liirli  more  plainly  appcirs  upon  an 
examination  <>.*  the  ma])  accompanying  tlie  vohuiie,  where  the  islands  referred 
to  and  visited  are  laid  down."" 

Potter's  American  monthly.  Phila..  1875.  5:905-906.  //. 
The  visits  of  Europeans  to  America  in  the  10th  and  11th  centuries, 
by  R:  Pilon. 

Favorable. 


158       I'KK-COLUMHIAN    DISCOVERIES    OF    AMERICA. 


Bryant,  W:  Ciillcii.  tnid  Oay,  Sidiiov  Howard.     Popular  his- 
tory of  (li(«  UiiitiMl  States,     N.  Y.,  187(1.'   1 :  7(^-85.     JI. 

Bryant  hdiovcH  that  the  Zciil  Htnry  \»  a  fahrication. 

Foster,  J:  Wt-lls.     I*re-liistoric  riicos  of  the  United  States  of 
North  AiiKM'ica.     C.'hitago,  1878.     pp.  399-400.     77. 

Unfavorablf. 


VI.     DISCOVKUY   HY  THE   POIITUGUESE. 

Barrow,  Sir  J:  A  ehronological  history  of  voyages  into  the 
Arctic  Regions.     London.  1818.     pj).  37-39.'    7/. 

Sneaks  of  it  as  an  pstablishod'fact  that  .loliii  Vaz  ( Onta  f'ortercal  dipccv- 
crcd  Nfwfoiindhind  in  HtW  or  14<>1.  lit'  rcftTH  to  Antonio  Cordfiro,  "  Historia 
insulana  das  ilhas  ii  I'oitiipil  siiyoytas  no  Oci-ano  Occidental,"  Linbon,  1717. 
lie  docs  not  mention  tlie  \mfn;  however;  and  no  one  else  has  ever  been  able 
to  find  in  that  book  anything  about  this  claim  of  Cortereal's. 

Oooley,  VV:  Desljorotigh.  History  of  maritime  and  inland  dis- 
coyery.  (Lardner's  cabinet  cyclopii'dia.)  London,  1830.  p.  138. 
H. 

Of  Cortcrcal,  the  author  says,  "There  seems  little  reason  to  doubt  that 
he  discovered  Newfoundland  loiitr  before  the  time  of  Cabot."  This  book  was 
reprinted  in  the  "Edinburtrh  cabinet  library." 


Biddle,  R: 

280-298.     II. 


Memoir  of  Sebastian  Cabot.     London,  1821.     pp. 


I'nfavoralde.  Accuses  Barrow  of  never  having  looked  into  Cordeiro's 
book;  and  adds,  "Tlius  does  the  evidence,  in  support  of  this  preposterous 
claim,  disappear." 

Humboldt,  F:  H:  Alexander  yon.  Examen  critique  dc  I'his- 
toirc  do  la  geographic  dii  nouyeau  continent.    Paris,  1830.    1 :  279. 

Unfavorable. 

North  American  review.    Boston,  July,  1838.     47:179.    H. 

Hon.  G:  Folsom  says:  "There  is  little,  if  any,  ground  for  the  claim." 

Colombo,  Cristoforo.  Select  letters:  ed.  by  R:  H.  Major. 
London,  1847.     (llakluyt  Society.)    pp.  xxyii-xxx.     77. 

Mr.  Major's  opinion  is  unfavorable. 

Haven,  S:  F.  ArchiPology  of  the  United  States.  {In  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  Contributions  to  knowledge.  Wash.,  1856. 
V.  8,  art.  1,  p.  9.     II.) 

Claim  mentioned,  but  no  view  expressed. 


I'RE-COLUMBIAN    IHSCOVERIE8   OF    AMEKICA.        159 


Palfrey,  J :  Gorlmin.  Ilistorv  of  N*'W  Knglaml.  Boston,  1858. 
1 :  00.     //. 

Cluiin  mentioned,  but  no  view  exprt'sseil. 

Oaffarel,  Paul,  fttuiles  siir  Ics  nipports  de  rAmc'riqup  ct  de 
rAncieti  Contintiiit  avaut  C'liristoplit'  Coloiub.  Paris,  1809.  pp. 
328-330.     UP. 

Unfuvorubiv. 

Willis,  W:  Dociimcntarv  history  of  the  State  of  Maine. 
(Maine  Hist.  Soc.  IM  sc-r.,  v.  1.  Porlliuul.  1809.)  vol.  1.  History 
of  the  (lis('«)vi'ry  of  the  Kast  Coast  of  North  Anieriea,  by  J.  O. 
Kohl.     pp.  105-106.     //. 

Of  CorttTcars  claim,  Kohl  sayK,  "  B^or  thin  there  Is  no  reliable  evidence." 


his- 


tory 


Bryant,  VV:  Ciiileii,  (ind  Oay,  Sidney  Howard.     Popuhir  hi 
y  of  the  United  States.     N.  V..  1870. '  1 :  140-141,  note.     II. 


Says  Biddle  liaH  tthown  tliat  there  Ih  no  good  authority  for  the  claim. 


VII.     DISCOVERY  BY  THE  POLES. 

Qomara,  Franeiseo  Lopez  de.  Historia  general  de  las  India.s, 
con  la  c()n(|uista  del  Mexico  y  de  la  Nueva-Esnana.  Medina.  1553. 
lA  French  translation,  under  the  title  of  "  Ilistoire  gencralie  des 
Indes  Occidentales  ct  Terres  Neuves  oui  jusques  a  present  ont  este 
deseouvertes,"  par  Martin  Fumee.  Paris,  1578.  p.  48,  chap.  37. 
H.] 

Says  casnallv.  "Tlio  people  of  Norway  have  also  been  there  [i.e.  to  Labra- 
dor] with  the  pilot  Johaii  Scolvc  and  the  English  with  Sebastian  Uavoto." 

Belle«forAst,  Fran(,'ois  de.  L'histoire  universelle  du  monde. 
Paris,  1577.     p.  356,  reverse.     BP. 

Favorable. 

Wytfliet,  Cornelius.  Descriptionis  Ptolemaica;  augmentura. 
Lovanii,  1597.     p.  188.     //. 

Here  it  is  stated  that  in  147(i  Scolvus  was  carried  to  Labrador  and  Estoti- 
land. 

Pontanua,  I:  Rcrum  Danicaruin  historia.  Ainst.,  1631.  p. 
703.    BP. 

Favorable.    Quotes  from  Wytfleit. 

Moriaotus,  Claudius  Bartholomaeus.  Orbis  rnaratimi  sive 
rerum  in  inari  et  littoribus  gestarum  generalis  historia.  Divione, 
1643.    p.  593.    BM. 

Favorable. 


'11 


160       PUE-COLLMBIAN    DISCOVERIKS    OF    AMERICA. 


Hornius,  (I :  riyssoa.     linpliini,  1071.     p.  335.     fi}f. 

SavH  that  in  147<>  Scolmirt  (l!-(<>\  tcmI  "  frt'tuiii  Aiiiiin  el 'rtrrani  I.abors- 
torii*.  ' 

Placido  Zurla.  I)i  Marco  I'olo  c  dcijjli  altri  viaggiaiori  veiiezi- 
aui.     W-iR'zia.  1818.     2:2(},  noh.     Bl'. 

Favorable. 

Dupaix,  Giiillaumo.  Antiqiiitos  itioxieaiiios.  Paris,  1884.  v.  1, 
no.  9.  [..  51.     HA. 

Claim  iiioiitioiicd  in  ;m  .irliilc  by  Francois'  Charles  Farcy,  bnt  no  view 
exurt'ssi'il. 

Humboldt,  F:  if:  Ali'xamlcr  von.  Kxaiiicii  critiqiio  do  I'his- 
toiro  di'  hi  g('()gra|iliiii  dii  iKuivcau  continent.  Paris,  1887.  2: 152- 
153.     //. 

Ackndwlotlf^PH  lliat  he  is  doubtful. 

North  American  review.      Iloston,  July,  1838.     47:179.     //. 
Claim  nu'ntionixl,  bnt  no  opinion  expressed. 

Grdnland.s  Historiske  Mindesmaerker.  Kj(")l)cnhavn,  1845. 
3:555-55(1,028-630.     //. 

A  favorable  article,  by  C.  Pinctol. 

Colombo,  Cri.-^toforo.  Si'lcct  lottors;  od.  by  R:  H.  Major. 
(Ilatcluyl  Soi'icty. )     London,  1847.     pp.  xx'-xxv;i.     //. 

'Maim  me'itioned,  but  no  oi)inion  e.xproKsed. 

Lelewel,  Joachim,  (jroograpiiio  dn  niovcn  Tige.  Brux.,  1858. 
4:1().)-1(»0.     Iil\ 

The  author  says  that  Scolnus  went  to  Labrador. 

Palfrey,  J:  Gorluun.  History  of  Now  England.  Boston,  1858. 
1:60.    /;. 

Claim  mentioned,  but  no  opinion  expressed. 

Asher,  O:  M.  Ilonry  Hudson,  the  navigator.  (Hakluyt  Soci- 
ety.)    Lon(h»n,  1800.     pp.  xcviii-xcix.     //. 

lie  thinks  Kolnup  went  to  Greenland. 

Willis,  W:  Documentary  history  of  the  state  of  Maine. 
(Maine  llisf.  Soc.  2d  sor.,  v.  1.)  Portland,  1869.  Vol.  1,  History 
of  the  discdvcry  of  the  East  Coast  of  North  America,  by  J.  G. 
Kohl.     pp.  114-115.     //. 

Kohl  says  the  voyage  "  probably  never  took  place,  or,  at  all  events,  bad 
nothing  to  do  with  Vlnland  or  Maine." 


rKi;-C<>LUMHIAN    DISCOVERIES    OF    AMERICA. 


161 


Oafifarel,  Paul.  Ktudos  sur  les  rapports  do  rAnit'i-i(|ue  et  de 
rAnt'ien  Continent  avant  Cliristopho  Uoloinb.  Paris,  lbt9.  p.  330. 
lip. 


Fiuorablc. 


De  Oosta,  Rev.  \\\  Franklin.     Columbus  and  tiio  geographers 
of  the  Nnrth.     Mart  lord.  187',>.     pp.  17-18.     //. 


Favorahlf. 

Bryant,  W:  CuUcn.  (iml  Oay,  Sidney  Howard.     Populu 
tory  of  the  United  States.     N.  Y.,  1870.  *  1:139.     H. 

Claim  meiitioiit'd,  luit  no  opinion  expri-HSctl. 


r  his- 


VIII.     DISCOVIMJV    HV    AIARTIX   HEIIAIM. 

Schedel,  Ilartniann.  Hegistruni  liuiusoperis  lihro  croniearuin 
cu  fl^niris  el  vriia^'ilMis  alt  inicio  niundi.  Nuren!)urg,  1493.  p.  "iWi. 
CLi. 

This  l)ook,  nsimlly  called  the  "Niiri'nibcr};  chiohiclc,""  states  that  .lacol) 
Cam  and  Miiitin  licliaiin  siulcd  west,  nnd  "havinL'  passed  ttio  eciniiiocial 
line,  eiitficd  the  nctlur  licmisolicrc,  where,  fronting;  the  east,  tlieir  stin'.low 
fell  towards  the  south,  and  on  tl.tir  liiiht  hand.  Thus  did  lils  indnstr;,  tlirow 
open  a  new  wmld  hitherto  unknown,  and  for  which  none  for  many  years 
Itefore  had  allein|iled  to  eNolore,  excejit  the  (ieiioese,  who  failed"  in  the 
attempt.  .  .  .  Owim:  to  the  diseovery  of  this  new  world,  a  great  quantity  of 
pepiH'r  is  hron^,'ht  to  Flanders." 

Postel,  (luillaiiiiie.  ('osinoj,M'apliica'  diseipliiup  compendium. 
Hasilea',  \m\.     p.  2.      //. 

Spi'aks  of  the  ".Martini  Dohenii  fretum,  a  Ma!,'a;,'liaMenBio  Lusitano,  ad  .It 
f^radiiin." 

Stiiven,  .1:  F:  Do  vero  N'ovi  Orbis  invontore  dissertatio  histor- 
ico-eritiea.     Franco,  a.  M..  1714.     pp.  38-43.     //. 

Here  is  set  forth  th.  claim  of  .Martin  Behaim  to  the  discovery  of  Amer- 
ica, in  which  the  author  is  .,  limi  Ixdiever." 

Qebauer,  Geor;^' CliristiHii.  Port ugiosische  (Jeschichtc.  Leip- 
zig. 1759.     1:  F23-124.     ///'. 

Claim  mentioned.  I)ut  (ieliauer  i-  (loiit)tfnl. 

Tozen,  K.  Der  waliif  ntnl  trste  Kntdecker  der  neticn  Welt, 
Christ<.i.li  Coloji.     (irdiiiigcii.  r,!'.!.     <H. 

Written  to  overthrow  Behalm'n  claim  to  tlw  <ll»covery  of  AiDorico. 

Robertson,  W:     History  of  Airii^-rka.     J><>nUon,  1777.     1 :  note 

xvii.     //. 

"The  a(  count  of  his  fBeh;s1m"sI  havlni;  discovered  anj  part  of  the  New 
World  appears  to  be  merelv  (  onjiw,:'. ':inl." 


^ 


II! 


102       PRE-COLUMBIAN    DISC0VEKIE8   OF   AMERICA. 


:i: 


Murr,  Christoph  Gottlieb  vm.  Dii)lonintisc'ho  Gesoliiolite  dos 
RitftTs  Behaim.  Nliniberg,  1778.  [A  Fniich  translation  in  ('. 
Anioretti's  translation  of  Pi{,'afctta's  "  Prcinici'  vovago  autour  du 
Monde,"  by  H.  J.  Jansen.  Paris,  1801.  //.  Also  an  English 
translation  in  J  :  Pinkerton's  •'(Jenoral  collection  of  the  best  and 
most  interesting  vovago  and  travels  in  all  parts  of  the  world." 
London,  1812.  '  ll:"393-420.     n.\ 

Bcliaiin's  claim  i»  diHoiiHwed,  and  ".  portion  of  tiis  chart  is  niven.  "Tlie 
history  and  the  irJohc  of  Bt'tiaini  al)s(>iiit('ly  destroy  all  tliese  pretensions,  and 
prove  that  he  had  no  knowled^'e  of  America." 

American  Philcsophical  Society.  Transnetions.  Ptiila.,  1786. 
2 :  2(53-284.     //. 

A  letter  from  Mr.  Otto  to  Dr.  Franklin,  in  wliieli  it  is  claimed  that  Martin 
Bclniim  lirst  discovered  America.  Amoii;,'  other  i)roofs  the  writer  cites  ;i  ter- 
restrial glohe  nnide  hy  lUdiaim,  now  in  tlie  archives  of  tlie  lil)rary  at  Nnrem- 
ber;.',  on  which  we  tinli  the  land  that  lie  discovered  in  sndi  a  position  that  it 
ninst  he  tlie  present  coasts  of  Brazil  und  the  environs  of  the  Straits  of  Magel- 
lan, siiys  Mr.  Otto. 

Belknap,  Jeremy.     A  di.scnur.se  intended  to  commemorate  the 

discovery  of  America    1)V  Chri-topher  Columbus.     Boston,  1792. 

pp.  85-99.     n. 

Unfavorat)le.  This  article  was  reprinted  in  Jeremv  Belknnps  "American 
biography."    Boston,  171M.     l:iaH-l-ll      //. 

Oladera,  Don,  Cristobal.  Invcstigacinnes  liistoricas  sol)re  los 
prineipales  descnbrimientos  de  Ic-  Kspai'ioles.     Madrid,  1794.     //. 

An  exhaustive  work  on  the  claim  "f  Behaim,  attenij)tini;  to  overthrow  it 
entirely.  It  contains  a  map  of  ;i  por^  dm  of  Heliaim's  L'lohe.  A  translation 
into  Spainsh  of  Miirrs  arti(  ii-  on  IJeliaim  is  also  given. 

Amoretti,  C:  Pref.-icc  to  n  Frctich  traiisliition  of  Pignfetta's 
"Premier  voyjige  atitdur  (111  Montii."    Paris.  1801.    pp.  21-28.    //. 

The  claim  of  Behaim  is  ctmwdered.  and  the  writer  thinks  that,  though 
Behaim  first  discovered  America,  lie  did  imt  know  it  until  after  he  had  com- 
pared his  own  discoveries  with  tiiose  of  I'idumbus. 

North  American  review.     B. .stem.  1822.     14:37-38.     //. 

J.  (f.  Cogswell  speaks  of  the  assertion  that  Behaim  discovered  America 
before  Columbus  as  "  u  trifling  error. 

Tates,  J  :  V.  N.,  a  ml  Moulton,  Joseph  White.     History  of  the 
State  of  New  York.     X.  Y..  1824.     p.  104.     JI. 
Claim  mentioned,  l)nt  no  vie*  expresBed. 

Irving,  Washington.  History  of  the  life  and  voyages  of  Chris- 
topher Columlms.  Loiuhm,  1828."  pp.  208-212.     //.' 

The  ((uestion  of  Behaim  is  taken  up  at  considerable  length,  and  Irving 
explains  the  claim  as  "founded  on  tlie  misinterpretation  of  a  passage  inter- 
polated in  the  chronicle  of  llurtinaun  Schedel.' 


PEE-toLUMBIAN    DISCOVERIES   OF    AMERICA. 


163 


Dupaix,  Guillaumc.     Antiquites  mexicaines.     Paris,  1834.     1: 
13G-138.     BA.     Recherches  siir  los  uiiti(juites  de  TAinerique  du 
leriquo  du  Slid,  par  0:  Badio  Warden. 


Nord  et  de  rAineriqi 


Unfavorable.  Mentioned,  but  no  opinion  expressed,  by  Fran9ois  C: 
Farcy,  vol.  1,  no,  9,  p.  50. 

Humboldt,  P :  H  :  Alexander  von.  Examen  critique  de  I'his- 
toire  de  la  geographic  du  nouveau  continent.  Paris,  1837.  1 :  256 
-309.     //. 

A  '.>n?;  diHcn9»ion.    Unfavorable. 

Oolonbo,  Cristoforo.  Select  letters;  ed.  by  R:  H:  Major. 
(Hakluyt  Sr>f'iefv.)    London,  1847.     pp.  xxxi-xxxii.     //. 

Mr.  Major  Ut,.i«  not  favor  the  claim. 

Lelewel,  .Toachini.     Geographic  du  moyen  age.     Bnix.,  1852. 

2:  131-132.  nufe.     BP. 

Simply  says  that  "numorous  conjectnreB  and  fables  have  been  invented 
about  >Iartin  Bchaim,"  and  he  refers  for  them  to  Murr  and  Ghillany. 

Ohillany,  F.  W.  Gesehichle  des  Seefahrcrs  Ritter  Martin 
Behaiiii.     Ni\niberg,  1853.     pp.  51-70.     BP. 

Favorable. 

Haven,  8:  F.  Archjpology  of  the  United  States,  (hi  Smith- 
sonian Institution.  (Contributions  to  knowledge.  Wat>h.,  1856. 
V.  8,  art.  1,  p.  10.     //.) 

Claim  mentioned,  but  no  view  expressed. 

Mt^or,  R:  II:  The  life  of  Prince  Henrv  of  Portugal.  Lon- 
don, 1868.     pp.  320-328.     H. 

Here  is  taken  up  the  claim  of  Behaim.  "to  whom,"  says  the  author,  "has 
bttn  erroneously  ittributi-d  the  first  idea  of  the  discovery  of  America." 

Qaffarel,  Paul.  Etut'  ><  sur  les  rapports  de  TAnierique  et  de 
I'Ancien  Continent  avant  hristophe  Colomb.  Paris,  1869.  pp. 
307-313.     BI\ 

Inclined  to  be  unfavorable. 

Harper's  new  monthly  magazine.    X.  Y..  1871.    42:  425-43r), 

527-5;j").     //.     \\\  cxaniiiiatiiiu   ><i   ilu-  claims  of   Columbus,   by 

Rev.  M.  Maury. 

Gives  a  map  of  Bohaims  iiloho,  hut  rhink  ^haf  he  placed  on  it  land 
which  corresponds  to  America,  simply  r^upposiug  to  ^  xist  there,  though  he 
bad  never  himself  discovered  it. 

Bartlett,  J  :  Russell.  Ribliiithe'-ji  Am< -icaiia  :  a  catalosrue  of 
books  relating  to  Xorth  and  .S»uth  Aui^-'^ica  m  ihe  library  of  the 
late  J :  Carter  Brown.      Providence,  1875.     1 :  15-10.     //.  ' 


164       PKE-COLUMBIAX    DISCOVERIES    OF    AMEIMCA. 


Olves  nn  English  translation  of  the  passage  In  Schcdcr!»  work,  on  which 
is  huHed  Belmini'M  claim.  States  that  '•  the 'C'lironlcle,'  in  the  handwriting 
of  Schedel,  Is  preserved  at  Nnreinberg;  hut  tlie  passage  contained  in  the 
extract  above  given  is  added  in  a  different  huud."  Burtlett  therefore  con- 
siders the  claim  nnfonnded. 


IX.     DISCOVERY  BY  COUSIX  OF  DIEPPE. 

M^moires  chronologiciuos  pour  servir  a  Thistoire  de  Dieppe,  et 
ii  celle  de  la  iiaviu^ntion  fnuK;ai.s('.     Paris,  1785.     1 :  91-98.     BM. 

Says  that  Cousin  left  Dieppe  at  the  beginning  of  1488,  and  at  the  end  of 
two  months  arrived  at  tlic  month  of  a  great  rivi-r,  which  lie  called  "Marag- 
iioii,"  and  which  ban  l)cen  since  named  the  '*  Fleuve  des  Amazones."  lie 
returned  to  Dieppe  in  1 185>.  Vincent  Pinyon,  one  of  (.'ousin's  captains,  de- 
serted tlie  peojue  of  Dii'i»p<'  imd  went  to  (icneva,  where  it  is  thought  he  told 
Columbus  of  Cousin's  (1isc(»\  erics.  The  author  of  the  "Mcmoires"  does  not 
give  his  authorities  for  these  facts, 

Estancelin,  L :  Rcchorchos  stir  les  voyaffes  et  decouvortes  dcs 
navifjatoiirs  noniiaiids  cm  Afriqiic.  dans  les  Indes  Oricutales  et  en 
Ani('n(|ue.     Paris.  1882.     pp.  aiW-HOl.     HP. 

Discusses  the  question  wlicth<r  Cousin  discovered  America  before  Co- 
lumbus, and  wlicthcr  it  was  from  I'lrii  tlial  Columbus  obtained  his  knowledge. 
The  aiitlior  is  si  arccly  inclined  ti>  bcli«vi'  it. 


Qu^rin,   lioon.     L 
47-49.     HP 


iiavipiteiirs   franyais.     Paris,  1846.    pp. 


Claim  mentioned,  but  no  opinion  expressed. 

Parkman,  Frmieis,     Pioii' tis  of  Fram'e  in  the  Few  World. 
Boston,  1H(i5.     pp.  1<;9-17().     //. 

"The  story  may  not  be  quite  void  of  foundation." 

Oaffarai  Puiil.     l^itudes  siir  les  rap|»irts  de  rAmerique  et  de 
I'Ainien  Coiilinenl  avaiit  Clirislophe  (\»lunil).     Paris,  1869.    pp. 

3i4-;w4.    nr. 


Fovornble. 

Bryant,  W:  Culh-n,  'i7id  Qay,  Sidii 
tory  of  the  United  .Mates.     N.  ¥..  1876. 

Uofkvorablt. 


V  Howard.     Popular  his- 
1 :  139.    a. 


hich 

iliriB 

thti 

con- 


U  et 
M. 

(lof 

irag- 

de- 
told 
i  not 


tics 
en 


Co- 
Ige. 


pp. 


Id. 


de 
pp. 


lis- 


